By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
Several Kenyans have been arrested in Nairobi for participating in protests against the controversial Finance Bill 2024.
A group of activists have been rallying Kenyans to take to the streets to protest against the Bill that seeks to introduce a number of new tax policies.
By as early as 9 am, some Kenyans had taken to the streets, holding anti-Finance Bill placards.
The protests are part of the planned ‘Occupy Parliament’ which is being planned by among others activist Boniface Mwangi.
But protestors had to face police officers after the Nairobi regional police commander said they had not licenced anyone to take to the streets.
A number of Kenyans have so far been arrested, among them Hanifa Farsafi.
Farsafi was dramatically arrested while doing a live television interview. Reports indicate she was arrested at the National Archives in Nairobi CBD and whisked to a police land cruiser.
She took to her social media pages to announce her arrest. However, the activist asked Kenyans not to be cowed by the police.
“We have been arrested but don’t let them get to you please proceed to parliament,” she posted on X..
The protests are meant to put pressure on parliament to reject what has been described as punitive tax proposals.
Some of the controversial proposals include the introduction of a motor vehicle tax, 16 per cent VAT on bread as well as eco-tax among others.
But as Kenyans plan to storm parliament, allies of President William Ruto indicated the controversial clauses have been removed.
President Ruto chaired a Kenya Kwanza Parliamentary Group meeting early on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, to among others debate the Bill.
This is even as digital strategist Dennis Itumbi said all controversial clauses will be looked into.
“Major tax proposals in the Finance Bill dropped after public participation and President William Samoei Ruto intervention. Which ones? Press Conference before noon. Kenya Kwanza PG ongoing.,” Itumbi said in a post on his verified X handle.
He also insisted that no tax would be introduced on bread as widely reported.