Finance Bill: Protests on contentious bill enter day two

Thousands of youth countrywide on Thursday took to the streets in a protest march calling for the rejection of Finance Bill 2024.

Similar anti- Finance Bill 2024 protests were held in different counties: Embu, Nyeri, Kisii, Uasin Gishu, and Kisumu with the youths calling for the withdrawal of the contentious Finance Bill in totality.

They argued that the bill contained punitive tax measures that will make the lives of Kenyans more difficult and thus should be shot down.

In Nairobi, the protests turned ugly after anti riot police were forced to lob tear gas to break up the anti-Finance Bill protests’. Running battles were also witnessed between the police and the protesters for the better part of the morning.

Earlier in Parliament, Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi called on National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula to direct the Inspector General to withdraw officers around Parliament precincts.

The entire area has been cordoned off by Police officers due to the ongoing demonstrations termed as ‘Occupy Parliament.’

MP Wandayi asserted that no person has the authority to establish a blockade around Parliament.

“We are living in a democratic country and this House is the symbol of our democracy. No person in this country has got the authority to establish a blockade around Parliament, to cordon off Parliament,” he said.

“I am aware that on Tuesday, there were some demonstrations around Parliament and in the CBD. Very peaceful demonstrations by very young children who were unarmed throughout the demonstrations,” said MP Wandayi.