By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
Some of the protesters arrested on Tuesday have been released.
Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo said police had agreed to release all protesters arrested during anti-Finance Bill demonstrations.
In an update on her verified X handle, Odhiambo noted that those being released were being held at Kilimani, Kamukunji and Central Police Stations.
“After a long day of dedicated efforts from members of @LawSocietyofKe across Nairobi, we are happy to inform the public that the protestors are currently being released,” said the LSK boss.
She further noted that the association’s national council was holding vigil at Central Police Station to ensure all those being held at the station are released.
Other lawyers had been dispatched to Kilimani to ensure protester are set free.
“We call on our members within the vicinity to report to Kamukunji Police Station to assist the team there,” she said.
In addition, the LSK President said they will remain steadfast to ensuring the rule of law is not circumvented and the rights of people respected. Unknown number of people who were participating in the protests were rounded up by the police across various parts of Nairobi City.
LSK had earlier called out the police for declaring the protests unlawful.
The protests went on as planned despite some of the controversial clauses in the Finance Bill being dropped following a Kenya Kwanza Parliamentary Group meeting that was chaired by President William Ruto.
Meanwhile, activist Hanifa is among those already set free.She took to her social media pages to confirm that she was out of police cells.
“The rest are still yet to be released. I’m still outside waiting for them. Everyone inside plus the human rights activists please make sure they will be released today please,” she said.
There has been calls for the police to unconditionally release all those arrested.
Digital strategist Dennis Itumbi is among those that joined the calls.Itumbi, in an update on his social media pages said it was wrong for the police to arrest peaceful protesters exercising their constitutional right.
“Dear Police, please release the demonstrators whose only mistake was to exercise their freedom of expression!,” he said.
“Instead, organize a meeting with chair budget and finance to answer their questions they have. National conversations can not be done with teargas and bakora!”