Nairobi
Tuesday, 18 June, 2024
By Felix Mogaka
On Tuesday, a group of lawyers advocating for the release of protesters arrested during the ‘Occupy Parliament’ demonstrations descended upon the Central Police Station, insisting on a meeting with the Officer Commanding Station (OCS).
Videos circulated online show the lawyers, numbering over a dozen, repeatedly chanting “we want the OCS” as they moved around the report desk.
The demonstrators, a mix of civil society members, activists, and concerned citizens, had gathered in large numbers to voice their opposition.
Earlier that day, police had clashed with protesters in Nairobi’s streets, deploying teargas to disperse their march towards Parliament Buildings.
The demonstrators had vowed to occupy Parliament to oppose the contentious Finance Bill, 2024, which proposes several new taxes intended to increase government revenue.
This protest was part of a larger movement that had seen similar actions in other parts of the country, reflecting widespread discontent.
During the confrontation, numerous protesters were arrested, packed into police vehicles, and taken to the Central Police Station.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the police use excessive force, with some protesters sustaining injuries during the arrests.
The situation was tense, with more protesters arriving at the police station to demand the release of those detained.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) criticized the arrests as arbitrary and threatened legal action to hold Nairobi region police boss Adamson Bungei accountable.
LSK President Faith Odhiambo accused Bungei of unlawfully deploying officers to disrupt the peaceful protests and demanded that he withdraw his officers and respect the protesters’ right to picket and demonstrate.
If not, LSK would pursue legal action against him. Odhiambo highlighted that the right to peaceful assembly is enshrined in the Constitution, and any attempts to suppress it would be met with strong legal challenges.
“We wish to sound our unequivocal warning to Bungei and all officers acting under his command from taking any act of aggression against the protestors in the name of giving effect to the Irrational directive,” Odhiambo said.
She added that the LSK was “closely monitoring today’s events and will take legal action to find Bungei and any officer who violates the rights of the protestors on account of his instructions personally liable for any breaches of the Constitution and the National Police Service Act.”
The government’s plan to raise Sh2.92 trillion locally to fund the Sh3.92 trillion Budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year includes several tax proposals within the Finance Bill, 2024, tabled on Tuesday, June 18.
These proposals include increased taxes on essential commodities, which critics argue will disproportionately affect the lower and middle-income populations.
Economists have weighed in, suggesting that while the government’s intent to raise revenue is clear, the burden on ordinary citizens could lead to economic strain and reduced consumer spending.
Parliament is scheduled to debate the revised Bill on Wednesday and Thursday, with a vote expected on Tuesday, June 25.
Lawmakers are expected to face significant pressure from both sides of the debate, with some pushing for amendments to alleviate the tax burden on the most vulnerable populations.
As the situation unfolds, the actions and decisions made in the coming days will be critical in shaping the financial and social landscape of the country.
The protests and the subsequent legal and political responses will likely set a precedent for future civic actions and government responses.