By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
Kirinyaga Governor Ann Waiguru has sent out a special appeal to police ahead of the second round of the anti-tax protests.
The protests are set to take place on Thursday in Nairobi and several parts of the country.
According to Waiguru who doubles up as the Council of Governors chairperson, the security team should restrain from using excessive force on protesters.
The county boss noted that it’s the constitutional right of any Kenyan to demonstrate as long has they are doing it peacefully and unarmed.
“I understand fellow Kenyans will be back out tomorrow. Every person, peaceably and unarmed, has a right to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket, and to present petitions to public authorities in Kenya,” Waiguru said.
“I therefore humbly urge law enforcement agencies to show restraint from use of excessive force on peaceful demonstrators,” she added.
But even as the CoG chairperson calls for restraint from the police, she has assured Kenyans that the government was listening to their issues.
She hailed Kenyans for their honesty in the ongoing debate over the proposed Finance Bill 2024.
“Meanwhile, we are listening. Thank you for your courage and honesty. This is what makes Kenya great,” Waiguru said.
The government has already removed some of the controversial proposals which include motor vehicle circulation tax and a planned increase of excise duty on edible oil.
Proposed increase of excise duty on financial transactions was also removed.
But despite government agreeing to abandon some of the controversial proposals, some Kenyans are of the view that the bill should be withdrawn in totality.
Members of the National Assembly started debating the bill on Wednesday.
The debate is expected to continue on Thursday.