Kenya Police Lob Teargas Into A Loaded Bus in Nairobi During Tax Protests
During protests against the 2024 Finance Bill, Nairobi police threw caution to the wind and lobbed tear gas inside a public service vehicle.
Officers from the Central Business District fired a tear gas canister into a Super Metro minibus on Moi Avenue, near the Nairobi Sports House.
It was unclear whether there were any serious injuries in the vehicle, but video footage showed heavy smoke coming from the stationary bus.
The Super Metro management has promised to issue a statement later.
We condemn this act we will issue a statement in the course of the day.
— SuperMetro 🚌 (@SuperMetro_Ke) June 20, 2024
Thank you. https://t.co/HUZWPlrHY3
“We condemn this act we will issue a statement in the day,” a statement on X read.
The risk of injury from tear gas is higher indoors than outdoors.
Police throw a teargas at a bus with Kenyans on board…This is what we are fighting against. Retweet widely#REJECTFINANCEBILL2024 pic.twitter.com/SKqoGSQetL
— Jeannette Brendah (@jeanbrendah) June 20, 2024
Experts warn that exposure to tear gas indoors, or in large amounts, may cause serious health effects such as glaucoma, blindness, chemical burns, and respiratory failure.
There is also a risk of being struck by tear gas cartridges, which can cause severe bruising, loss of vision, or skull fracture, resulting in death.
People with respiratory conditions are more likely to experience severe symptoms following tear gas exposure.
Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are examples of such conditions.
Tear gas was thrown into the bus as protests began in various parts of the country ahead of the highly anticipated parliamentary vote on the contested Finance Bill 2024.
Organizers of the Occupy Parliament protests, which began in Nairobi, demand that the bill be rejected as a whole.
The protests shut down businesses in the city center as police engaged various groups in running battles.
Parliament is currently debating the Finance Bill 2024 in preparation for voting.
Kenya Police Lob Teargas Into A Loaded Bus in Nairobi During Tax Protests
