Kenya protests: They chased the police, military; broke into parliament — Nii Lante Vanderpuye narrates ‘horrible’ scenes

Member of Parliament for the Odododiodio Constituency, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has recounted the chaotic scenes he witnessed during anti-tax protests in Kenya, where demonstrators stormed the National Assembly in Nairobi.

Vanderpuye was part of a five-member Ghanaian delegation visiting the Kenyan legislative chamber when violent protests, led by Kenyan youths, erupted.

He described the experience as "horrible," noting that the youth decided to "besiege Parliament and prevent the Senators from going ahead with the second reading of the Bill (Finance Bill)."

Despite the protests, the reading proceeded, and the Bill was accepted before the protesters managed to enter the House chamber.

"It was horrible to see; it got to the point where the policemen were running away. The youth virtually overran the police, broke Parliament house gates, burnt two police vehicles, and were throwing their own canisters at the policemen. The soldiers came in, but they couldn't stop them," Vanderpuye said on Accra-based TV3.

On Tuesday, protesters breached Kenya's parliament and set portions of the House on fire following the Senate's approval of a controversial tax bill.

The unrest highlighted the intense opposition of Kenyans to the proposed legislation.

In reaction to the turmoil, President William Ruto announced on Wednesday his decision to reject the bill and return it to parliament for reconsideration.