By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
NAIROBI (Worthy News) – Kenya’s president condemned the deadly storming of parliament on Tuesday, the most direct assault on the government in decades, and said it was “a national security threat.”
President William Ruto vowed that such unrest won’t happen again “at whatever cost” after thousands of protesters against a new finance bill pushed their way in, burning part of the building and sending legislators fleeing.
Journalists saw at least three bodies outside the complex where police had opened fire, and medical workers reported five others killed. Clashes spread to other cities. There was no immediate word on arrests.
It also marked a spiritual battle for the president, a Christian, four months after participating in a massive evangelism rally, or “crusade,” from Israeli-born Canadian-American evangelist Benny Hinn to “heal the nation.”
Hinn said there would be “no more losses in Kenya” while praying for Ruto and First Lady Rachael at his crusade in Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi in February.
President Ruto, kneeling to receive the blessing with his wife, revealed that he first knew he would lead Kenya in 2006.
He said he received the revelation during the Asuza 100 celebration” of revival in the United States.”
REVIVAL US
“I will say this today here in Nyayo Stadium. That the first time I got a revelation that I was going to be President in Kenya is in 2006 and during the Asuza 100 Celebration of Revival in the US and I was there with my wife and many others,” he said.
Hinn told him that Kenya is on the road to recovery during his second visit to the nation in over two decades, following an invitation by the First Lady in September 2023.
Yet on Tuesday, as he faced the biggest challenge in his presidency, the president told the nation, “Today’s events mark a critical turning point in how we respond to threats to our national security.
He called the attack on parliament “treasonous.” Kenya’s defense minister said the military had been deployed to support police during the “security emergency” and “breaching of critical infrastructure.”
The office of the Nairobi governor, a ruling party member, was also briefly on fire, with smoke pouring from its white facade. The office is located near parliament. Police water cannons were used to extinguish the fire, witnesses said.
Protesters could be heard shouting, “We’re coming for every politician.”
Security forces fired live ammunition and threw tear gas canisters at protesters who sought treatment at a medical tent at a church near parliament.
MANY VICTIMS
Elsewhere, Kenyatta National Hospital said it received 45 “victims,” though it was not clear if any were dead.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission shared a video of officers shooting at protesters, and it urged Ruto to issue an immediate order to “stop the killings.”
On Sunday, Ruto tried to calm the rising public tensions over the finance bill, saying he was proud of the young Kenyans who came out to exercise their democratic duty.
The politician who had promoted himself as a “hustler” from humble beginnings said he would engage them on their concerns.
Last week, youth announced they were uniting to keep the government in check as prices for fuel, food, and other necessities soared.
In Nairobi, a regional hub for expatriates and home to a significant United Nations complex, the inequality among Kenyans has sharpened along with long-held frustrations over state corruption, commentators say.
Copyright 1999-2024 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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