LIVE BLOG: Kenyans Turn Up For Nationwide Protests Against Finance Bill 2024

Today's protests have expanded to multiple counties across Kenya, including Nairobi, Nyeri, Nakuru, and Eldoret.

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Jun 20, 2024 - 12:25 Updated: Jun 20, 2024 - 17:13
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LIVE BLOG: Kenyans Turn Up For Nationwide Protests Against Finance Bill 2024
Protesters in Nairobi against the Finance Bill 2024. /THE STAR

In the era where Generation Z (Gen Z) properly announced themselves to the Republic of Kenya, the anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests entered the third day in a row, spreading to major towns across the country.

Today's protests have expanded to multiple counties across Kenya, including Nairobi, Nyeri, Nakuru, and Eldoret.

Background

The Finance Bill 2024 has sparked widespread discontent due to its proposed tax increases on essential goods and services, including a 25% excise duty on edible oils and increased charges on mobile money transfers.

Civil society groups, industry organizations, and opposition leaders have united in their opposition, arguing that the bill will exacerbate the high cost of living and disproportionately impact low and middle-income earners.

The protests have also drawn international attention, with both the African Union and Anonymous hacker groups warning the Kenyan government against interference in the protests.

Protesters at Ronald Ngala Avenue along Nairobi CBD on June 20, 2024. /EDITH STACY.VIRAL TEA KE

Keep refreshing this page as Viral Tea provides you with the latest updates, reactions and analysis of the anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests:

4.02 pm: Protesters Inch Close To Parliament

Crowds build up on Kenyatta Avenue in the Nairobi CBD chanting anti-government slogans as they seek to access Parliament Road.

Others try to access Parliament Road via Uhuru Highway as police officers battle them to keep them out.

3.42 pm: Jalang'o Notably Rejects Finance Bill

Lang’ata Member of Parliament Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o has rejected the controversial Finance Bill 2024.

Speaking on Thursday, June 20 on the floor of the National Assembly, Jalang’o said despite the bill being amended he has already made a choice to reject it, arguing that the bill touches on issues that affect common members of the public adding that Lang’ata locals have come out to reject it.

“I reject the Finance Bill 2024. Immediately it touched around everything that touches the common person, M-Pesa, the cars the pads and I looked back and saw the whole generation in Langata out here having their voices so loud even after the amendments I had to make the choice that I have made today,” said Jalang’o.

3.36 pm: Protesters Disrupt Thika Superhighway

It is not just the Nairobi CBD. Anti-Finance Bill protesters have brought traffic to a standstill on Thika Road near Allsops as part of nationwide demonstrations. The usually busy highway is completely blocked on the lanes leading into the capital, with protesters voicing their discontent.

Motorists have turned to social media to vent their frustration over the gridlock, which has resulted in massive traffic jams. 

The situation is mirrored at the entrance of Thika Town, particularly in the Jomoko area, where another group of protesters has also blocked the highway.

So far, the demonstrations in these areas have remained peaceful.

3.30 pm: IPOA invites Kenyans who may wish to lodge a complaint against any member of the National Police Service to contact the Authority through the following contacts:

  1. Toll-free No.: 1559 (free of charge)
  2. Eldoret: 0204403548
  3. Nairobi: 0792532627; 0773999000; 0204906000
  4. Garissa: 0791559346
  5. Mombasa: 0799019998
  6. Kisumu: 0799862244
  7. Nakuru: 0736435616
  8. Kakamega: 0204403549
  9. Meru: 0777490652
  10. Nyeri: 0202004664

2:43 pm - National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah assures that there is no MP who has been unable to access Parliament saying the extra-security deployed outside parliament was meant for the MPs' safety.

"The Inspector General of Police confirmed to me mid-morning that there were organised groups who had planned to take siege of Parliament and criminal elements who also intended to use the ongoing peaceful demonstrations under the pretext of the peaceful demonstrations to access Parliament and cause harm to MPs," Ichung'wah said.

2.26 pm: International Journalist Reportedly Shot During Anti-Finance Bill Protests

A video has emerged of an international journalist injured while covering protests against the Finance Bill 2024.

As seen by Viral Tea, the journalist was helped into an ambulance with blood covering the left side of his face. Reports indicate that the scribe was shot by a police officer.

WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO

2.15 pm: Protesters in Nairobi chant 'peace, peace, peace' before being dispersed by a police water cannon with pink-dyed water.

1.25 pm: NTV Journalist Confronts Police For Beating Up Protesters

NTV's senior reporter Ibrahim Karanja went on to confront an anti-riot police officer who was filmed attacking a group of protesters outside Nation Centre in Nairobi.

"Why are you beating people? No...no, that is wrong," Karanja pleaded amidst a contingent of police officers surrounding him.

One of them donning a scarf to conceal his nose and mouth could be seen squaring up to him as resistance from the protesters managed to scare off the officers.

Watch the video:

1.10 pm: Jamia Mosque in Nairobi donates space for medical teams to assist protestors

12.43 pm: Police Lob Teargas Inside Super Metro Matatu

Police officers reportedly fired teargas inside a matatu belonging to popular service operator Super Metro.

A video seen by Viral Tea showed the matatu immobilized along Moi Avenue amidst a cloud of smoke from the teargas emanating from it.

Passengers in the matatu were forced to exit through the windows with some seen limping. Meanwhile, bystanders offered water to mitigate the effects of the teargas.

12.00 pm: Clashes In Nairobi As Police Teargas Protesters

In Nairobi, police officers fired tear gas at protesters on Koinange Street, engaging protesters in running battles in the CBD.

The confrontation escalated as protesters moved towards Uhuru Highway near the GPO Building, prompting officers to use tear gas to disperse the crowd.

11.45 am: Protesters Grind Eldoret To A Halt

Protesters also turned up in numbers at President William Ruto's hometown with hundreds of frustrated youth marching to the Central Business District (CBD) to oppose the Finance Bill 2024.

A video seen by Viral Tea showed the protesters bringing down a UDA-branded wheelbarrow in Eldoret CBD.

The furore was also evident in Nakuru, a political stronghold shared by both President Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua. Here, young demonstrators have gathered in the CBD to protest what they deem a punitive Finance Bill.

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