Kenyans Out in Numbers to Protest Finance Bill 2024
Kenyans Out in Numbers to Protest Finance Bill 2024
Kenyans Out in Numbers to Protest Finance Bill 2024
For the second day this week, Kenyans are mobilizing against the #RejectFinanceBill24 campaign and urging President William Ruto’s administration to rescind the contentious Finance Bill 2024 on Thursday, June 20.
The measure intends to increase revenue by Ksh348 billion by levying taxes on a number of industries, such as export levies and road maintenance levies. Beyond Nairobi, protests have also been reported in Eldoret, Kisii, Nyeri, Nakuru, and Kisumu.
In the videos that have since been shared widely, the protestors could be spotted hoisting huge placards as they sought to air their grievances.
While expressing their fury, the demonstrators called on the legislators to halt the amendments and instead, drop the entire bill.
“We said reject it, no edits,” read one of the placards held by a demonstrator.
The demonstrators went ahead to block the main highway accessing the Kisumu City Central Business District (CBD), causing major traffic disruption.
Legislators, led by Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, have voiced growing concerns over the significant presence of officers encircling Parliament buildings and government offices along Harambee Avenue in Nairobi.
According to Wandayi, accessing the National Assembly has become increasingly difficult for MPs currently engaged in debating the Finance Bill 2024.
MP Sylvanus Osoro criticised the pervasive police presence, decrying what he perceived as officers idling in the sun and awaiting security support from protestors.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula began the National Assembly sitting on Thursday, June 20, with a prayer as the legislators continued to debate the Finance Bill 2024.
