Police have fired live rounds at demonstrators in Kenya's capital, Nairobi. At least five people have been killed and many more injured.
The military has been called in to quell what the president calls "anarchy".
Thousands of people, mostly students, broke through police barriers and stormed Kenya's parliament on Tuesday, where the chamber was due to vote on a controversial tax increase.
During the storming, several demonstrators were shot by police, according to multiple media reports. At least five, but according to the BBC, around ten, people have died and many more were injured.
Before the police resorted to live ammunition, they fired rubber bullets, tear gas, and used water cannons against the demonstrators. Reuters reports at least 50 injured.
This is the youth of Kenya making themselves heard. They are using tear gas against us, but we don't care, says demonstrator Elizabeth Nyaberi to AFP.
Promises tough action
Both the parliament and Nairobi's city hall were set on fire, but the fires were extinguished before the buildings suffered major damage.
President William Ruto promised tough action against "violence and anarchy" at a press conference, and the government called in the military in the evening to assist the police.
We will respond quickly and effectively to today's treasonous events, said Ruto.
The unpopular tax increase was passed despite the turmoil, but Ruto has not yet signed the law, according to KTN News.
The largely youth- and student-led protests began last week.
Many arrested
Before Tuesday's protests, at least two people had been killed and over 200 injured in connection with the protests. Many have been arrested, according to Amnesty International in Kenya.
We demand an end to police violence, respect for our constitutional rights, and the freedom to raise our voices without fear of being arrested or injured, said demonstrator Hanifa Adan to AFP.
The protests have continued to grow in scope and spread to the cities of Mombasa, Kisumu, and Eldoret.
"Despite the government's assurances that the right to demonstrate would be protected and respected, today's protests have degenerated into violence", wrote several human rights organisations in a joint statement.
