Five deaths reported in capital Nairobi

At least five protesters were shot dead by police in Kenya and part of parliament caught fire on Tuesday as demonstrations against new tax proposals escalated.

Angry crowds broke through police cordons and stormed parliament in the capital, Nairobi, before setting part of it on fire.

President William Ruto said in a speech on Tuesday night that all means would be used to “thwart any attempt by dangerous criminals to undermine the security and stability of our country”.

He has deployed the military to quell the protests.

Protests against an unpopular finance bill, which includes several tax increases, have been going on for days. But protests escalated on Tuesday as lawmakers passed a revised bill.

Protesters broke into Congress, damaging its interior and setting parts of the complex on fire. The ceremonial mace, symbolizing the authority of the Legislature, was stolen.

Police fired live rounds, killing at least five people, according to the Kenya Medical Association. A reporter from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on the scene reported that they saw bodies lying in a pool of blood on the street.

“Some things are hard to understand, like how can you tax bread at 16 per cent? How can you tax tampons?” Derrick Mwathu, 24, told the BBC, referring to the original bill Some of the proposals contained in .

President Ruto has promised a tough response to what he calls “violence and anarchy”.

Mr Ruto added: “It is unconscionable and even unthinkable for criminals posing as peaceful protesters to commit acts of terror against the people, their elected representatives and the institutions established under our constitution and expect impunity.”

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was “deeply saddened by the casualties, including journalists and medical staff” caused by protests and street demonstrations in Kenya.

He also urged Kenyan authorities to “exercise restraint” and called on all demonstrations to remain peaceful.

Hundreds of injuries were reported, including from rubber bullets and tear gas. At a cathedral in Nairobi, where a medical camp had been set up to care for injured protesters, a BBC reporter witnessed doctors being forcibly removed from the church by soldiers.

Another temporary ward has been set up outside the emergency room of Kenyatta National Hospital.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta urged dialogue, saying Kenyan leaders should “know that power and authority are given to them by the people”.

While the government has pushed back on some proposals in the original bill, protesters have called for it to be withdrawn in its entirety.

Maureen Awuor, 23, said: “Our voices have to be heard… We are the coming generation, so they need to hear our voices.”

The protests made headlines in Africa and other parts of the world.

Two of Africa’s leading anti-establishment figures – Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine and radical South African politician Julius Malema – have expressed support for the protesters.

Western countries expressed concern about the violence and urged calm.