'We are safe' - Ghanaian MP caught in Kenya's deadly protests speaks

A Member of Parliament (MP) caught up in the deadly protest on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Kenya has confirmed his safety and that of his four other colleagues.

GhanaWeb had earlier reported that the Ghanaian MPs, who are leaders of the Local Government Committee of Parliament, were visiting the parliament of Kenya when anti-tax protesters invaded the House.

A video recorded by one of the MPs during the melee showed the Ghanaian delegation being ushered away from the Kenyan Parliamentary Chamber amid the violent invasion.

Reaching out to GhanaWeb’s Parliamentary Correspondent, Nimatu Yakubu Atoyose, one of the five Ghanaian MPs confirmed that the group is currently at a safe location.

"By God's grace, we are safe," the MP said.

The delegation of MPs includes Emmanuel Akwasi Gyamfi, the Member of Parliament for Odotobiri; Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, the Member of Parliament for Odododiodioo; Thomas Nyarko Ampem, the Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman; Sylvester Matthew Tetteh, the Member of Parliament for Bortianor-Ngleshie Amanfro; and Mohammed Hardi Tufeiru, the Member of Parliament for Nanton.

The unrest, which has been ongoing for some days, 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.

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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; however, the amended bill, which still contains tax increases, was passed on Tuesday.

The approval of the bill escalated the public unrest, resulting in protestors breaking into the Parliament of Kenya while the House was in session.

A BBC report confirmed the death of at least five protesters following the firing of live bullets and teargas by security officials.

"I saw police shoot dead unarmed young men in front of Kenya's parliament," CNN’s Larry Madowo reported.

The protesters, upon entering the law-making house, are said to have set portions of the building on fire while the Mace was taken.

Meanwhile, President William Ruto, in an address on Tuesday evening, said organized criminals had infiltrated what was meant to be a peaceful protest by Kenyans to foment trouble.

The president assured the public of measures to curb the situation.

Additional from BBC, CNN

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