At least 5 persons have been killed and several others injured as thousands of youths stage protest against a government bill to hike taxes in Kenya.

Police opened fir£ on demonstrators trying to storm the country’s legislature on June 25, leaving at least 5 d£ad, Reuters reports.

The protest began last week as lawmakers passed legislation to raise taxes.

Parliament approved the finance bill, moving it through to a third reading by lawmakers. The next step is for the legislation to be sent to the president for signing.

The finance bill aims to raise an additional $2.7 billion in taxes as part of an effort to lighten the heavy debt load, with interest payments alone consuming 37% of annual revenue.

The government has already made some concessions, promising to scrap proposed new taxes on bread, cooking oil, car ownership and financial transactions. But that has not been enough to satisfy protesters.

According to the report, police opened fir£ after tear gas and water cannon failed to disperse the crowds.