SHOCKING video captured the moment Barack Obama’s half-sister was tear-gassed at a demonstration in Kenya.

Auma Obama, 64, was in the middle of a live interview with CNN, protesting a controversial tax bill in Nairobi, the country’s capital, when police fired tear gas at surrounding demonstrators.

Barack Obama’s half-sister was tear-gassed during a live TV interview in KenyaCredit: CNN

Moments into her interview, Auma Obama is seen struggling to breathe as smoke fills the areaCredit: CNN

Barack Obama embraces his sister Auma in Nairobi in July 2015Credit: AFP

“I’m here because look at what’s happening,” Obama, a Kenyan-British citizen, told CNN’s Larry Madowo.

“Young Kenyans are demonstrating for their rights. They are demonstrating with flags and banners,” she said as smoke filled the area before abruptly cutting herself off.

“I can’t even see anymore. We’re being tear-gassed,” Obama said as she began to cough and struggled to breathe.

Moments later, Obama and the several demonstrators flee the area as Madowo is heard coughing and struggling to catch his breath on live TV.

Obama, 64, shares the same father as the former president.

Thousands of Kenyans flooded the streets of the capital in recent days after lawmakers passed tax increases that some say impose extra burdens on low-income citizens and businesses.

The new legislation introduces price hikes in goods and services, including hospitals, basic necessities, and imports.

Lawmakers say the extra $2.7 billion raised from taxes would boost the country’s revenue and limit borrowing in its struggling economy.

However, Kenyans have widely criticized the bill and organized mass protests dubbed the “7 Days of Rage,” calling for a total shutdown of Kenya.

The demonstrators planned to occupy parliament in Nairobi.

Photos later revealed that protestors succeeded in storming parliament, with some even entering the senate chamber, according to Reuters.

Parts of the complex were later seen in flames.

The clashes between protestors and police have turned deadly, with at least five people shot dead and 31 others injured.

Some are suspected missing.

Faith Odhiambo, the president of the Kenya Law Society, claimed that around 50 people, including her personal assistant, were “abducted,” according to the Associated Press.

Odhiambo claimed the people taken had been vocal in past demonstrations.

Civil society groups have said the individuals were taken from their homes, places of work and even in public ahead of Tuesday’s protests by people thought to be police officers.

Over a dozen demonstrators were injured by both rubber bullets and live rounds, according to several human rights groups in Kenya.

Amid the protests, the US government has spoken out urging “calm.”

A White House National Security Council spokesperson told the BBC that the US is “closely monitoring the situation in Nairobi, where police opened fire on demonstrators trying to storm the Kenyan parliament, and is urging calm.”

Later in the evening, the Kenyan government deployed the military to provide support for police forces.

Aden Bare Duale, the chairperson for the defense council, blasted the protests saying it was causing “destruction and breaching of critical infrastructure.”

Internet service in the country has also slowed down amid the protests, according to the Associated Press.

Cybersecurity and internet watchdog Netblocks has labeled the incident a “major disruption.”