By Peter Ochieng
A showdown is looming between police and members of the public expected to throng the streets of Nairobi for the ‘Occupy Parliament’ protests against Finance Bill, 2024, in the course of the day.
This is after Adamson Bungei, Nairobi Regional Police Commander dismissed the planned demos, adding that they are illegal. He said that no one applied for a permit to hold protests in any part of Nairobi today (June 18, 2024).
The Police Commander stated that they received a faulty document dated June 17, 2023, which doesn’t meet the protest permission threshold.
“The notification they left at Central is dated June 17, 2023. It is faulty. We can’t allow them. No demonstration. Kenyans should be allowed to do their business and those with grievances should direct them where they know well,” he stated.
On Monday, Nairobi Review reported that thousands of Kenyans were expected to convene in Nairobi on Tuesday, for the ‘Occupy Parliament’ demos which have been organized against the Finance Bill, 2024.
The Bill, which proposes an increase in tax on various commodities among them bread has been termed as punitive by Kenyans from various walks of life.
The protests will coincide with debate on the Bill in the National Assembly, with a sit down outside the August House being some of the measures expected tomorrow, to ‘persuade’ Members of Parliament (MPs) not to pass the Bill.
According to Boniface Mwangi, one of the organizers, they delivered protest notification letters to the police on Saturday, 15th June, 2024.
“Kenyans are coming from every part of this country, and we are all marching to Parliament,” he said in a post on X.
Mwangi said protestors will meet at various places in the City, before marching to Parliament.
The meeting points are; Ambassadeur/Archives, Nation Centre, Supreme Court, Skate Park, Taifa Road and Kencom Stage – City Hall Way.
“Wear black, carry a whistle/vuvuzela, a placard with a message to your MP, and carry drinking water. Police commanders met this morning, and promised to respect our right to protest, and will be there to keep the peace, and escort us,” said the photo journalist turned activist.
“We are showing up tomorrow at #OccupyParliament no matter what. It’s also important to note that there is no leader for #RejectFinancialBill2024; It’s a movement of the people against over-taxation,” he added.
Mwangi insisted that the demos are on. “They have arrested @Honeyfarsafi! So how many people do they intend to arrest today? Protest starts at 12:00 pm. We are studying the streets to see where to start. We shall still protest against the finance bill. We are ready to be jailed!”
At the time of going to press, President William Ruto was hosting Kenya Kwanza MPs at State House, Nairobi for a Parliamentary Group (PG) meeting.
The MPs are expected to address the press after the get together.