Nairobi
Wednesday, 19 June, 2024
By Felix Mogaka
The Kenyan police have dismissed a letter as fake, which allegedly authorized protests scheduled for Thursday.
The letter falsely claimed that the Inspector General of Police had permitted demonstrations on Parliament Road from noon to 5 pm, under the condition of maintaining peace and order.
The organizers of Tuesday’s “Occupy Parliament” protests have announced nationwide demonstrations on Thursday, aiming to pressure MPs to reject the finance Bill, 2024.
The government aims to collect Sh346 billion through the bill, according to Finance Committee chairman Kimani Kuria, who addressed Parliament on Wednesday as the debate commenced.
The bill advanced to its second reading on Wednesday, with Kuria informing the House that some contentious clauses had been dropped by the committee.
These included the proposed VAT on bread, an Eco levy on locally manufactured goods such as diapers, increased charges for mobile and international money transfers, and a 2.5% motor vehicle tax.
Tuesday’s protests saw minimal incidents, with no significant looting, property destruction, or serious injuries reported.
However, one isolated incident occurred where a police officer lost his forearms, and another was injured due to a teargas canister explosion.
On Wednesday, the court released five protesters, including activist Boniface Mwangi, citing insufficient evidence.
“There was no evidence the suspects were part of unlawful assembly or breached peace by creating a disturbance. We have also noted from the OB that five suspects were arrested and placed in cells but only three names appear on the draft charge sheet. The statements in the file refer to only three suspects, begging the question of what happened to the other suspects,” acting Assistant DPP Dorcas Rugut said.
After their release, Mwangi confirmed their intention to continue protesting on Thursday.
“Nobody owns you unless you allow them to own you. No one can ride your back unless you bend it and as Kenyans, we are not going to bend our backs. Tomorrow Kenyans across this country are going to the streets, I can guarantee you we shall be on the streets. We have been released without any charges,” he said.
Mwangi and about five other protesters were arrested outside Parliament buildings after chaining themselves to a cart.
They were taken to Kamukunji police station and detained.
“We are going to Central Police Station to take our mkokoteni (hand cart). So tomorrow come with your handcarts, wheelbarrows, the sanitary pads they want to tax, sufuria, cups…tomorrow be colourful and defiant,” Mwangi said.
He emphasized that Kenyans have the right to protest peacefully without police interference. Kirinyaga Governor and CoG chair Anne Waiguru echoed Mwangi’s sentiments, urging police to exercise restraint.
“I understand fellow Kenyans will be back out tomorrow. I therefore humbly urge law enforcement agencies to show restraint from the use of excessive force on peaceful demonstrators. Meanwhile, we are listening. Thank you for your courage and honesty. This is what makes Kenya great,” She said.