Hello and welcome to the Evening Brief Newsletter where we are watching tables turn, and cars go up in flames.
Situational Awareness: If you are among over 21,000 subscribers of this Newsletter and are struggling to find our emails in your inbox, check your promotions or socials tab. Once you see it, drag the email to the Primary tab to receive our future editions there henceforth.
If you are reading this Newsletter on Kenyans.co.ke website, subscribe here to receive the weekday email in your inbox.
Getting the Boot
After the youth's disgruntlement over a majority of Members of Parliament approving the Finance Bill 2024, Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has taken the lead role of sending its rogue leaders home.
In a detailed four-page statement shared on Tuesday, ODM's Central Committee announced that 6 of its MPs who voted yes to the bill will be recalled. The timelines, however, remain a mystery.
What ODM is Saying: "The ODM Party shall initiate and lead recall processes in the following constituencies in light of the current office holders' repeated violation of their sacred oath and the wishes of the electorate. Gem, Bondo, Navakholo, Kajiado Central, Ikolomani and Suba South."
Who Are the MPs: The MPs on the chopping board are Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo) and Caroli Omondi (Suba South).
- Benard Masaka of Ikolomani and Kanchory Memusi of Kajiado Central will also be among those set to be recalled for defying the party position.
Target to President: ODM urged the state to consider the ongoing protests as the last best chance to implement youth demands and incorporate their views in decision-making.
"The Kenya Kwanza Regime must take full responsibility for all the deaths, injuries, and destruction of property arising from the violent suppression of peaceful protests. The President must publicly direct his security organs to forthwith cease the ongoing abductions; an exercise we believe is being undertaken with the full approval of the State. He must account for and order the release of all detainees abducted by his security agencies," the committee demanded.
"The ODM Party will support credible austerity measures in the executive and parliament. These two institutions have been expressly indicated by the people as citadels of largesse and wastage. With fresh memory of the invasion of parliament and standing threats for the occupation of the executive's seat of power, these two institutions must have an honest introspection on their contribution to our current predicament and take measures to lessen the taxpayers' burden. As a party funded by the taxpayer, we will be taking steps to scale down our presence and activities."
Catch Up Quick: On Tuesday last week, a day that saw aggravated protests countrywide, 205 MPs voted to pass the bill and only 115 shot it down, 73 of whom are attached to ODM.
In the resultant chaos, President William Ruto resorted to shelving the bill in its entirety, with a caveat that financing the bill would require Ksh1 trillion to be borrowed.
ODM lawmakers, however, vowed to readjust the budget in light of the developments.
Embassies Shut Down
Another week, another Tuesday of chaotic scenes as the youth, predominantly Gen Zs, expressed their concerns over the cost of living and dissatisfaction with the current regime.
Protests broke out in several towns among them Migori, Nairobi, and Mombasa among others.
At the Coast, a civilian opened fire on a crowd, an incident which turned into a session of vandalism and looting. Some of the protestors torched three cars and vandalised a hotel.
In Nairobi, Recce Squad officers were dispatched to a building in Nairobi CBD after reports emerged that a private gun holder was held up in the building.
Several embassies in the country had foreseen the outcome and issued advisories to its citizens. Some shut down offices altogether.
US Embassy: In a week-long advisory on Monday, the US Embassy announced that the consular section will be closed on Tuesday, July 2, for routine services.
- Its citizens were therefore advised to Avoid protest areas and demonstrations, avoid crowds, keep a low profile, monitor local media, notify friends and family of their whereabouts, beware of surroundings, review their personal security plans, and carry US passports and Kenyan visas at all times.
- "The embassy has received reports of opportunistic crimes committed on the periphery of the protests, including robberies, assaults, and rocks thrown through vehicle windows," the Embassy advised.
- "Law enforcement has increased security checkpoints on roads. Crowds have blocked roads with debris. Traffic disruptions can be expected."
Polish Embassy: The Embassy of Poland announced that its offices will stay closed on Tuesday as protesters return to the streets.
- “We kindly inform you that on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Nairobi will be closed due to planned protests. We will resume normal operations on Wednesday, July 3, 2024,” the statement read in part.
Russia Embassy: The Russian Embassy advised its citizens to avoid Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) and other problematic times.
- "To the attention of Russian citizens located in Kenya: There is currently an increased risk of mass demonstrations in Nairobi and other cities in Kenya," cautioned the Embassy.
- "July 2, 2024, it is recommended not to visit the central area of Nairobi."
Ukraine Embassy: Ukraine, on the other hand, advised its citizens to stay indoors.
- "In connection with the possible holding of protest actions in the city of Nairobi on July 2, 2024, we advise you, if possible, to refrain from visiting the central part of the city and carefully monitor information from Kenyan law enforcement agencies," the Ukraine Embassy in Nairobi advised.
Catch Up Quick: Human rights organisations estimate that 39 people have lost their lives since the protests kicked off on June 18.
President William Ruto estimated that the damages from the protests stood at Ksh2.4 billion as of last Sunday. Businessmen contested the figure placing it at Ksh3 billion.
Here are five other stories we are keeping tabs on for you;
- Lands CS Alice Wahome dismisses push by Gen Z protesters to repeal the housing levy.
- The Kenyan Shilling holds steady against the dollar despite earlier warnings by experts that the currency would depreciate.
- Amount President William Ruto's administration will save after scrapping off the offices of the First Lady and the Second Lady.
- Police launch investigations into the death of a senior police officer at the Kegonga Police Station on Monday evening from a self-inflicted wound.
- The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) raises concern over the increase of substandard chevrons and warning triangles in the Kenyan market.
If you enjoyed this newsletter, share it with a friend.
This newsletter was written by Derrick Kubasu and edited by Brian Muuo.
Washington Mito contributed to the content.
Graphics prepared by Adongo Kyalo.
