Youth demonstrating against the Finance Bill 2023 engaged police officers in running battles in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) on Tuesday morning, June 6, as pressure mounts on President William Ruto to recall the controversial tax proposals.
Police deployed to quell the protests lobbed tear gas canisters to disperse the rowdy crowd, which disrupted traffic and business at the National Treasury at Harambee Avenue.
Activists were armed with placards, flags and whistles while chanting against the bill. They later convened at Jeevanjee Gardens at 8:00 am before marching towards Parliament.
The poor cannot sleep because they are hungry, and the rich cannot sleep because the poor are aware and hungry - read some of the placards held by the protestors.
Minutes before 8:00 am, a contingent of anti-riot police officers was deployed to Jeevanjee Gardens to ward off chaotic scenes.
As a result, several protestors were arrested and hurled into police vehicles as they tried to gain access to the meeting point.
Political activist Boniface Mwangi condemned the arrests and questioned why the peaceful protestors were apprehended for exercising their rights.
"Sending police to arrest peaceful protesters for exercising their right to be heard is dictatorial behaviour. Tell your boss to let the people protest, "Mwangi criticised President William Ruto's regime.
Termed Sita Sita, the protests aimed to show solidarity and consolidate support against the Finance Bill 2023.
"There is a peaceful protest tomorrow to reject the Finance Bill 2023. The assembly point is at Jevanjee Gardens. The Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome has been notified, and they are supposed to provide security. Carry a flag, whistle, placard, water and let your voice be heard. Say no to tax slavery," Mwangi, a professional and award-winning photojournalist, stated on June 5, 2023.
The Finance Bill will be tabled in Parliament on Thursday, June 8, for Members of Parliament to deliberate and vote for or against. MPs have up to Thursday, June 15, to seal the fate of the Bill before the 2023/24 budget is read.
President William Ruto, on Sunday, June 4, issued a stern warning to the lawmakers who would oppose the bill - noting that he advocated for an open voting process to identify MPs against his development agenda.
"I want Kenyans to know leaders who are against eradicating unemployment. Those who will oppose the Finance Bill 2023 are enemies of development," Ruto threatened.
