The Kenyan High Court has sanctioned the use of military force to restore order after days of anti-tax protests overwhelmed police forces.
The protests, driven mainly by young people opposing government tax increases, have resulted in over 20 deaths nationwide.
On Thursday, armoured military vehicles patrolled the streets of Nairobi, and police fired tear gas to disperse protesters threatening to storm the presidential palace.
A judge deemed the military deployment essential to protect government installations, but ordered authorities to clarify the deployment’s duration and rules of engagement within two days.
“Deploying the military without a defined scope and duration is a dangerous trend that could lead to the militarization of the country,” ruled Justice Lawrence Mugambi.
The Law Society of Kenya, which had petitioned against the military intervention, stated it “respects but disagrees” with the ruling.
Amid mounting pressure, President William Ruto announced the withdrawal of the controversial finance bill proposing tax hikes, a day after protesters briefly stormed and set fire to the parliament.
Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura acknowledged the withdrawal as a significant setback, attributing the opposition to “misinformed” Kenyans influenced by local and international campaigns.
The finance bill aimed to raise taxes to address Kenya’s debt burdens, as required by lenders including the International Monetary Fund.
However, many protesters remain sceptical of the president’s commitment to austerity measures announced on Wednesday and are angered by reports of arbitrary abductions and the killing of at least 23 people.
State agents have been accused of abducting hundreds of protesters, with the Kenya National Human Rights Commission securing the release of over 300 individuals allegedly “illegally detained.” Mwaura denied these allegations, accusing “criminal elements” of attempting to exploit the peaceful protests for a coup d’etat.
