Transport and business in Naivasha town were paralysed for hours after youths took to the streets to protest against the controversial Finance Bill 2024.
During the peaceful demonstration, the youths took to the Nairobi-Nakuru highway and the Naivasha-Mai Mahiu road terming the bill as a recipe for chaos.
Police watched from a distance as the tens of youths marched through the streets of the town before heading to the highway.
Armed with placards, flags and trumpets, the youths accused the government of job losses mainly in flower farms in the lakeside town.
According to one of the youths Patrick Otila, hundreds of workers had been sent home by various flower farms in the town due to harsh working conditions.
He said that many companies could not cope with punitive taxes imposed by the current government leading to job losses.
“In the last couple of years we have seen several flower farms close shop and there are fears more could head the same way,” he said.
This was echoed by Edna Onyando who termed the finance bill as oppressive mainly to women due to the introduction of taxes on sanitary pads.
She pointed an accusing finger at the government for failing to control the cost of living, a move that had affected hundreds of families.
“We are not only tied with this finance bill but with this government which has failed its people with fake promises,” she said.
Another youth Faith Cate said that getting HELB loans for university students had become a major problem forcing tens of youths to drop out.
