Death toll in anti-tax protests climbs to 23 in Kenya as defense chief sued over military deployment

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - The death toll from anti-tax protests in Kenya has reached 23, with 20 others in critical condition awaiting surgeries, according to the Kenya Medical Association.

Six patients are currently undergoing operations at Kenyatta National Hospital, the largest medical facility in East Africa.

"The situation room across the country, but mainly in Nairobi, has recorded a total of 23 deaths," the association head Simon Kigondu told Anadolu.

"Many people have been injured and were rushed to various hospitals. At the main hospital, Kenyatta National Hospital, they have stopped all planned surgeries. They are only handling bullet wounds. Six operations are going on and 24 people in critical condition are waiting to be treated," he added.

In response to the escalating violence, a lawsuit has been filed against Kenya's Defense Minister Aden Duale, over the military's involvement in quelling the protests.

The suit was filed before newly appointed High Court Judge Andrew Bahati Mwamuye.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) lawyer, Chrysostom Xavier Akhaabi, criticized the hurried deployment of the Kenya Defense Forces, arguing that Duale failed to provide a detailed justification for using military force against unarmed civilians.

Duale ordered the deployment of the military late Tuesday to deal with a “security emergency” after violent demonstrations against tax hikes led to multiple deaths.

As the unrest continues, the situation in Nairobi remains tense, with hospitals overwhelmed by the influx of injured protestors. The death toll is expected to rise as more critical cases are being treated.

Kenya’s Star newspaper reported on Wednesday that President William Ruto has declined to sign the Finance Bill, 2024 and had sent it back to Parliament, proposing amendments to the bill.

The heightened security comes in the wake of widespread unrest sparked by Finance Bill 2024, which suggests tax hikes.

The protests resulted in widespread looting and property damage throughout the city.