Breaking News

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Wednesday unleashed a bombshell calling for the resignation of National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director General Noordin Haji over what he described as dissemination of disjointed intelligence to President William Ruto.

Speaking during a live press conference, Gachagua claimed that the country has a dysfunctional intelligence system, insisting that NIS had failed in intelligence gathering, which could have been used to avert the fatal demonstrations on Tuesday.

During the same address, Gachagua also claimed that 13 NIS assistant directors had been removed from the intelligence service after Haji rose to the powerful position.

Gachagua did not mince his words insisting that Haji, the former Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) holds the largest blame for Tuesday's protest by failing to gather accurate intelligence leading to Ruto receiving inactionable information.

Former DPP Noordin Haji Speaks to editors during a conference at Serena Hotel in Mombasa.

ODPP

"We have a dysfunctional NIS that has exposed the government and the people of Kenya. Had the NIS briefed the president two months ago about how the people of Kenya feel about the Finance Bill 2024, so many Kenyans would not have died. There would have been no mayhem, but they slept on the job."

"Noordin Haji must take responsibility for the deaths, mayhem, failing President Ruto and Kenya for not doing his job. He must do the honourable thing, not just taking responsibility but resign," Gachagua stated.

According to Gachagua, the brewing rage that led to Kenyans storming Parliament was the clearest indication of failure since such actions were unprecedented in Kenya's history.

Gachagua further claimed that a day before his press conference, Noordin Haji was trying to put up a team together to drive a propaganda campaign and attribute the chaos to a section of targeted leaders including him and the former President Uhuru Kenyatta. 

He added that the President fairly cleared the air by admitting that the protests were caused by the anger of Kenyans on the Finance Bill. 

The Deputy President also proceeded to laud the Generation Z for making their voices heard. 

"I want to call upon Gen Z to tell us whom to engage because they are tribeless, leaderless and have no organizational structure but we would like to engage with the right people."

He cautioned young leaders against scrambling together their allies purporting to represent Gen Z in the touted talks between young Kenyans and the Executive over the fallout from the failed attempt to push through the Finance Bill, 2024.

He urged the younger generation to come up with a structure on how they can engage the government on key issues affecting them.

President William Ruto speaking at State House, Nairobi on January 8, 2023.

PCS

The High Court will on Thursday pronounce itself and issue a ruling on a petition filed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) seeking to stop the government's plan to deploy the military across the country.

Parties in the case on Wednesday attended a virtual session as the advocates body seeks to establish whether it is legal for the Executive to deploy KDF soldiers to quell protests.

LSK led by President Faith Odhiambo in its petition urged the court to suspend the decision to deploy the military until the case brought before the court is heard and determined.

The Society had filed a petition against Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale accusing the government of contravening the law by deploying the military.

“No emergency, disaster, insecurity, unrest or instability has been officially declared to exist in Kenya, and to be outside the mandate, scope or capacity of the National Police or any other authority to warrant the deployment of the KDF to provide support to the National Police in the manner envisaged in the Impugned Gazette Notice," LSK argued in its petition.

Kenya Defence Forces Soldiers.

Photo Nairobi News

Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale had on Tuesday authorised the deployment of the Kenyan military to quell protests hours after demonstrations stemming from objection to the Finance Bill, 2024 broke out in various parts of the country, including in Nairobi where Kenyans stormed Parliament.

In the gazette notice dated June 25, the CS announced the deployment of the military to help police stop demonstrators from invading critical infrastructure.

According to CS Duale, the Tuesday protests resulted in a security emergency that needed the intervention of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

“Under Article 241 (3) (b) of the Constitution of Kenya as read with sections 31 (1) (a), 31 (1) (c), 33 (1), 34 (1) and 34 (2) of the Kenya Defence Forces Act, (Cap. 199), the Kenya Defence Forces is deployed on the 25th June, 2024 in support of the National Police Service,” read part of the gazette notice.

“This is in response to the security emergency caused by the ongoing violent protests in various parts of the Republic of Kenya resulting in destruction and breaching of critical infrastructure.”

In the petition filed in court, the National Assembly speaker Moses Wetangula was accused of ratifying the deployment. Wetangula reportedly convened a special meeting with a section of legislators to approve the deployment. 

Following CS Duale's announcement, Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah on Wednesday filed a motion in Parliament to ratify the decision to deploy the KDF.

Commenting on the matter shortly after, Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo revealed that the ratification was concluded in a record 30 minutes.

"Without media, without most members, without proper debate, in a record 30mins, the National Assembly has just made Kenya a military state; authorizing the deployment of KDF," Otiende Amollo disclosed.

A collage of Parliament building on fire and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula.

Photo

Kenyans.co.ke

President William Ruto on Wednesday, June 26, announced the complete withdrawal of the controversial Finance Bill, 2024.

The President while speaking to the press at State House, announced the change of heart and gave options on how Kenya could raise funds in the coming financial years.

Ruto added that his administration had heard the cry of the citizens who were urging him to drop the bill and reduce the cost of living.

"Having reflected keenly on the conversation surrounding the bill and listening to the people of Kenya who have said they want nothing to do with the bill. I concede and therefore I will not sign the bill. It will be subsequently withdrawn and that becomes our position," he stated.

He proposed that since Kenya has gotten rid of the bill, the country should have a conversation going forward on how to manage the affairs of the country together.

President William Ruto chairs a Cabinet Meeting at State House on Thursday, June 13, 2024.

PCS

The Head of State explained that the bill was aimed at increasing the country's revenue adding that Kenya was burdened by debt.

He added that the revenue raised through the bill would be used to subsidize fertiliser, pay Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) teachers, finance the last mile connectivity project, operationalise the Universal Health Coverage plan, and pay coffee and sugar cane farmers among other government projects.

Ruto added that going forward, his administration would incorporate young Kenyans to draft ways to raise revenue.

This move comes amid ongoing protests against the finance bill, with Kenyans calling for its complete withdrawal by the government. The protests staged by young Kenyans garnered international attention with some international leaders calling upon the government to listen.

Additionally, these protests which began last week have resulted in the loss of several Kenyans, destruction of property and multiple injuries.

Kenyans had opposed the controversial bill adding that it would result in an increase in the cost of basic commodities and asked the government to seek alternative channels to collect taxes.

Furthermore, Kenyans complained that the government was poorly managing the billions of taxes collected and it was therefore unreasonable to overtax the majority of Kenyans who are struggling to make ends meet. 

On the deaths and injuries, the President sent condolence messages to all those who lost their lives.

"I send my condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this very unfortunate manner. Six people to be exact lost their lives yesterday, that should not have happened, There will be a framework to ensure those six are accounted for," he stated.

Kenyans during anti-finance bill protests in Nairobi CBD on June 2024

Reuters

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has called on the government to listen to Kenyans following the anti-Finance Bill protests that turned chaotic on Tuesday, June 25.

In a statement, Uhuru advised elected leaders to embrace dialogue and find solutions to the issues facing Kenyans.

According to Uhuru, listening was not a choice for elected leaders but a mandate.

The former President also expressed his sympathies over the loss of lives that were witnessed in the Tuesday protests.

President William Ruto speaking at the 9th Annual Dairy Farmers Field Day Celebrations in Meru County on June 13, 2023.

PCS

"At this trying time for our Country, I want to remind all leaders that they were elected by the people.

"Listening to the people is not a choice but a mandate enshrined in the principles of our constitution and in the very basis and philosophy of democracy," he stated.

Uhuru made the remarks shortly after President William Ruto addressed the nation. In his address, Ruto expressed the Tuesday events as treasonous.

Ruto alleged that the peaceful protests had been hijacked by criminal elements adding that the government would counter their actions.

"I have directed all organs of our national security to deploy measures to thwart any attempts by dangerous criminals to undermine the security and stability of our country," Ruto stated. 

"As the people of Kenya go to bed tonight, I give you my assurance that the safety of your families and properties remains my utmost priority."

Here is the Statement by Uhuru;

My fellow Kenyans,

I come to you with a heavy heart. Saddened by the loss of lives occasioned by the current situation prevailing in our country. it is the right of every Kenyan to protest as determined as determined by the constitution we all promulgated in 2010. It is also the duty of leaders to listen to those they lead.

At this trying time for our country, I want to remind all leaders that they were elected by the people. Listening to the people is not a choice but a mandate enshrined in the principles of our constitution and in the very basis and philosophy of democracy.

Leaders must know that the power and authority they have is donated to them by the people.

I, therefore, call for calm and for the leadership to show restraint and do the right thing by listening to the people and not be antagonistic to them. Violence on either side is not the answer.

As your former president, I have felt the weight and the difficulty of leading Kenya. I, therefore, pray for wisdom and civility to be established and for peace and progress to belong to all of us as children of Kenya.

Dear Kenyans, I stand with you and I ask our leadership to embrace dialogue and speak to the people and not at the people. I pray for peace and understanding on the part of each and every Kenyan and for all of us to remember that Kenya is bigger than one of us; there is nothing cast in stone that cannot be changed.

Human Rights Activists leading anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests outside Parliament on June 18, 2024.

Photo

Boniface Mwangi

 

Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Tuesday, June 25, announced the deployment of the military to help police officers manage the ongoing demonstrations.

In a gazette notice, the CS stated that the move was reached after a section of demonstrators resorted to interfering with critical infrastructure.

According to Duale, the Tuesday protests resulted in a security emergency that needed the intervention of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

“Under Article 241 (3) (b) of the Constitution of Kenya as read with sections 31 (1) (a), 31 (1) (c), 33 (1), 34 (1) and 34 (2) of the Kenya Defence Forces Act, (Cap. 199), the Kenya Defence Forces is deployed on the 25th June, 2024 in support of the National Police Service,” read part of the gazette notice.

Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale speaking during an event

Photo

Aden Duale

“This is in response to the security emergency caused by the ongoing violent protests in various parts of the republic of Kenya resulting in destruction and breaching of critical infrastructure.”

On Tuesday Kenyans across the country took to the streets to demonstrate after Members of Parliament passed the contentious Finance Bill 2024.

However, the mostly peaceful protests quickly culminated into a violent one after the government decided to deploy its police officers to manage the demonstrators.

The demonstrators while expressing their fury turned to the police officers and began pelting objects at them.

In response to the provocation, the officers began dispersing tear gas canisters even as demonstrators in Nairobi threatened to access the parliament buildings.

As chaos intensified, the rowdy demonstrators overwhelmed police officers and gained access to the Bunge Tower, where parliamentarians officiate their meetings.

The move prompted a swift and decisive response from the officers who allegedly fired live bullets at a section of protestors, killing and maiming some.

While confirming reports on police shootings, the Kenya Human Rights Commission disclosed that about five anti-Finance Bill protestors had been shot.

According to the KHRC, police officers manning the parliament buildings reportedly shot five protestors, killing one.

The commission condemned the killing terming it as unacceptable and a grave violation of human rights.

"Police have shot four protesters, as witnessed by KHRC, killing one. We strongly condemn the police killing. Such actions are unacceptable and constitute a grave violation of human rights," the Kenya Human Rights Commission noted in a statement.

Protesters teargassed in Nairobi.

Photo

Abc News

Standard Group's KTN has reported that the government has threatened to shut them down.

Through an announcement during their live coverage at 4:09 pm, it was announced that there were threats to shut down the media house based along Mombasa Road.

The media house did not detail the specific office or the individual who had threatened to shut them.

However, it was noted that the threats emerged as a result of the live coverage of the Tuesday protests.

KTN announcing threats of a shutdown on June 25, 2024.

Kenyans.co.ke

On the other hand, SG maintained that its journalists would continue with their work and inform the public of what was happening.

"We have received threats from the government of intentions to shut us down. 

"We would like to inform the public of our commitment to defend public interests and we shall not be cowed by any threats even as we continue to inform the public of the happening on the ground," the news anchor announced.

The anti-Finance Bill protests turned chaotic on Tuesday after some protesters accessed Parliament.

This caused authorities to repulse the protesters, leading to the death of some protesters. Human rights organisations have reported four deaths so far.

However, police were yet to confirm the deaths at the time of publication.

The Finance Bill 2024 was passed in the National Assembly on Tuesday after 195 MPs voted in favour of the Bill.

The majority of the lawmakers who supported the Bill belong to the Kenya Kwanza faction.

Following the passage of the Bill,  President William Ruto is expected to assent to the Bill which introduced new tax measures.

One of the tax proposals included in the Finance Bill 2024 is the Eco Levy that will be imposed on finished imported goods.

Protesters have been against the imposition of new taxes owing to the cost of living that remains high for many Kenyans.

On the other hand, the government maintains that it needs to collect taxes to implement developments projects and build the country.

MPs in Parliament during the Budget 2024 reading.

Photo

Parliament

A section of Parliament buildings on Tuesday afternoon was seen to be on fire on Tuesday afternoon.

In live videos seen by Kenyans.co.ke, smoke was seen to be billowing from the parliament buildings.

This was after some protestors managed to gain access to the buildings after overpowering the police who had barricaded the barriers

Individuals were seen scampering for safety from the buildings as police worked to restrain protestors.

A contingent of police officers standing outside parliament buildings ahead of mass demonstrations

Photo

However, the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. 

Media reports explained that the law enforcement authorities were within the grounds aiming to evacuate the Members of Parliament.

The MPs were evacuated through the underground tunnel of parliament with majority of them still hidden in the basement.

Further, journalists on the scene reported that some of the MPS within the parliament buildings who were marooned collapsed while the police scampered to get them to safety.

Videos of the parliament buildings also depicted the buildings having been infiltrated with property destroyed .

Some individuals also made their way to the Senate buildings where flags were uprooted and office property also broken with the debris strewn all over the floors.

In a dramatic escalation of anti-finance bill demonstrations, protestors not only stormed Parliament Buildings but also set ablaze offices at Nairobi City Hall, which houses key administrative offices including those of Governor Johnson Sakaja.

Video footage seen by Kenyans.co.ke captured the intense scenes as parts of the City Hall went up in flames amidst clashes between protestors and police along City Hall Way.

Kenyans during anti-finance bill protests in Nairobi CBD on June 2024

Reuters

Chief Justice Martha Koome has assured that the courts will work for extended hours after cases of mysterious abductions shoot up in less than a week.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the CJ criticised the abductions which have seen north of 15 activists kidnapped by mysterious gun-wielding gangs.

"I have noted with deep concern the numerous allegations regarding the abductions of protesters amid the ongoing mass protests in our country. Such actions, executed by persons not identifying themselves and without presenting the abducted individuals before a court of law, amount to a direct assault on the rule of law, human rights, and constitutionalism, which are our guiding national values and principles of governance as enshrined in Article 10 of the Constitution," she stated.

While urging justice agencies, Koome therefore noted that the courts were ready to extend their working hours should the arrested individuals be presented before them.

Digital activist Gabriel Oguda

Photo

Gabriel Oguda

"Agencies within the justice sector, working under the auspices of the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ), have in the past committed to working towards ensuring that ours becomes a human rights-based criminal justice system that adheres to the Constitution, particularly the Bill of Rights, and the law. I therefore urge all agencies in the justice sector to process any criminal actions lawfully and to investigate and address the allegations regarding abductions related to the ongoing protests with utmost urgency," she added.

"I take this opportunity to assure the nation that the courts are prepared to operate beyond standard working hours if the abducted persons are presented before court and also to consider any petitions for habeas corpus. This commitment is to ensure that our nation continues on the path of the rule of law and constitutionalism and to guarantee that all state and non-state actors operate within the strict boundaries erected by our Bill of Rights."

Her statement came hours after protesters lamented that several activists among them Osama Otero and Gabriel Oguda were picked up in the wee hours of Tuesday from their homes.

Reports indicated that they were taken by armed individuals believed to be linked to the security sector.

Earlier, Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo confirmed that several of the abducted individuals were subsequently released among them her Chief of Staff Ernest Nyerere, Nadia Nthia, and Shadrack Kiprono aka Shad.

Others, however, remain missing with their whereabouts unknown.

Before the second and third readings of the Finance Bill 2024 in Parliament, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula directed Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa to urgently liaise with Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to ascertain Oguda's whereabouts within the next two hours.

The directive was given after National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi noted with concern that mysterious men believed to be police officers abducted Oguda at 2:00 am.

"I will direct the Majority Leader to get in touch with the IG and find out about the officer working at the Minority Leader’s office and report back,” directed Wetangula.

Protests against the Finance Bill continued countrywide even as lawmakers embarked on the voting exercise to pass or reject the bill.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula during State of the Nation Address in 2023.

Photo

PSC

Members of Parliament on Tuesday, June 25 passed the Finance Bill 2024 with the amendments.

The Bill was passed after being supported by a majority of the Kenya Kwanza parliamentarians. Azimio lawmakers rejected the Bill entirely.

195 MPs voted to adopt the Bill with amendments while 106 MPs voted NO.

The Bill will now proceed to the Third Reading before being taken to President William Ruto for assent.

President William Ruto (seated) signs Finance Bill 2023 into Law at State House, Nairobi on Monday, June 26, 2023.

PCS

It is expected to assent of the Bill will be done anytime during the week.

Following its adoption various tax proposals will come into effect depending on the schedule proposed in the Bill. 

During the Committee Stage, some of the notable amendments that were proposed were the removal of the Motor Vehicle Tax and the restriction of the Eco Levy to finished imported goods.

Other adopted amendments included making the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) tax deductible.

Notably, members of the opposition opted to withdraw the amendments noting that they could not amend a flawed Bill.

“We had extensive deliberation yesterday as Azimio we withdrew the amendments because would have been an exercise of futility and a means to sanitize the Finance Bill process,” he stated.

The contentious Bill has seen nationwide protests across the country including in Nairobi.

The protests have always been held on Tuesdays and Thursdays when Parliament is in session.

Human Rights Activists leading anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests outside Parliament on June 18, 2024.

Photo

Boniface Mwangi

UPDATE: The Ministry of Education maintains that dates for mid-term break for all primary and secondary schools remain unchanged.

Schools were scheduled to release students between June 26 and June 28 and resume on June 30, 2024.

The Ministry of Education has allowed boarding schools to release their students for half term break beginning Monday, June 24.

This is an impromptu change to the school calendar. Earlier, the second term's half term break was scheduled to begin on Wednesday, June 26.

In a memo to school principals, the Ministry of Education explained that early departure is designed to give students and parents ample time to make travel plans ahead of the planned Finance Bill protests planned for Tuesday.

Some of the school principals, as a result, sent messages to parents notifying them to pick the students beginning today failure to which, they will only be able to pick students on Wednesday.

Kenyan students protesting hiked school fees in August 2017.

Kenyans.co.ke

Students in day schools will be allowed to start their half term break after the close of the academic day today.

Since Tuesday last week, Kenyan citizens, the majority of whom are Gen Zs, have been taking to the streets to reject the Finance Bill 2024 proposals.

On Thursday last week, the protests erupted across the country cutting across cities and other towns among them Eldoret, Nanyuki, and Nyeri among others.

At the tail-end of May, the Ministry revised the half term dates for the second term to run between June 26 to June 30.

In a letter at the time, Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang noted that the change had been necessitated by the change of opening date after the impact of flooding.

"Following the disruption of the opening dates, it has been decided that the half-term dates for term two 2024 be revised," read the memo in part.

"The change may require adjustments on planned activities and schedules."

Before the flooding, the calendar had spelt out that the half-term period would last between June 20 to June 23. At the time, school reopening had been scheduled for Monday, April 29 before Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu postponed the dates.

Education PS Belio Kipsang makes his remarks during the Bennial Universities Fund Conference on February 23, 2023.

EduMin