Kenya Protests: Ghanaian MPs on visit to Nairobi Parliament caught in crossfire

Some Ghanaian MPs from the leadership of the Local Government Committee of Parliament, currently on a parliamentary visit to Kenya, were caught in the middle of the chaotic situation in the East African country as protesters continue flooding the streets.

This time, however, the protesters broke through the Kenyan parliament, just around the time the Ghanaian MPs were on their visit.

The unrest, which has been on for some days now, reached the doorsteps of Kenya's parliament on Tuesday, June 25, as hundreds of protesters stormed the parliamentary complex, voicing their discontent over a controversial finance bill that proposes tax increases.

Dense clouds of tear gas had reportedly engulfed the parliament as police officers struggled to disperse the crowd.

A BBC report said that MPs were engaged in heated debate over the finance bill before it was passed.

It added that hundreds of MPs were trapped inside the parliament building as police continue their efforts to repel the protesters who have breached the complex.

Kenyans have been protesting against the finance bill, arguing that it imposes additional financial burdens on citizens already grappling with high costs of living.

The government, on the other hand, insists that the tax hikes are necessary to increase revenue without exacerbating the national debt.

Initial proposals included a 16% sales tax on bread and a 25% duty on cooking oil.

In response to widespread public outcry, the government made some concessions, yet the amended bill, which still contains tax increases, was passed on Tuesday.

In a video made available to GhanaWeb, it shows the moment the Ghanaian MPs were being directed away to a safe place within the parliament building.

See the video below:





NAY/AE