Kenyan MPs are still grappling with the aftermath of an unprecedented invasion of parliament by anti-tax protesters on Tuesday. Amid the chaos, two legislators are expressing gratitude towards some of the protesters who came to their aid.
“I was terrified and praying to God as around 22 young protesters surrounded me,” said MP Rose Museo, who uses crutches. She, along with her colleague Jackson Kosgei, who uses a wheelchair, found themselves stranded during the two-hour assault. While other MPs escaped through an underground tunnel, Museo and Kosgei were left behind.
The protesters, furious over a recently passed tax bill, smashed windows, breached the chambers, and set parts of the building on fire. The bill, which proposed significant tax hikes, had already sparked peaceful protests across Nairobi and other regions. However, tensions escalated when the bill was approved despite the massive demonstrations.
Ms. Museo, who had just voted against the bill, and Mr. Kosgei were unable to use the lifts due to a power outage caused by the invasion. “We were trapped inside the chamber while others were looking for escape routes,” Kosgei told KTN TV.
Despite the destruction and the theft of a ceremonial mace, the protesters did not harm the two MPs. Instead, they helped them to a safer location and later assisted in their evacuation from the building. “They knew who I was and how I had voted,” Kosgei said. “They told me I was a good man and offered to escort me out of the building.”
The protesters even offered to arrange transportation for Kosgei, but he chose to stay somewhere he felt safer. Museo was equally surprised by the protesters’ kindness, recounting how they reassured her by saying, “Our problem was the finance bill, not you.”
The situation was so intense that some lawmakers, including Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, were evacuated through tunnels to a secure area. Eventually, police managed to clear the building using tear gas and gunfire. MPs, including Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, were taken out in ambulances as protesters threw stones at vehicles.
President William Ruto condemned the invasion as “treasonous” but agreed to withdraw the controversial legislation following the widespread protests, which resulted in at least 23 fatalities. He also committed to engaging with Kenyan youth and implementing budget cuts, including to the presidency.
For Museo, the events underscored the power of public protest and highlighted the need for better evacuation plans for MPs with disabilities. She emphasized the importance of dialogue and urged protesters to give it a chance before resorting to further demonstrations. “The protesters’ voices were heard, and they should now allow for dialogue to take its course,” Museo said.
