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LIVE UPDATES: 'Reject Finance Bill' protests across major towns

People have come out in large numbers from different cities, towns to participate in the anti-Finance Bill demos.

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by Bosco Marita

News25 June 2024 - 14:37
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In Summary


  • A contingent of police officers have been deployed in various key government installations such as the State House.
  • Police were also spotted in various streets of the Nairobi Central Business district and major towns across the country.
A group off protesters taking a ride in a police water cannon

Be updated, as we update: Scroll down

A section of Kenyans has taken to the streets of various towns in the country to protest against the Finance Bill 2024.

A contingent of police officers have been deployed in various key government installations such as the State House.

Police were also spotted in various streets of the Nairobi Central Business district and major towns across the country.

Protected Areas

Parliament Buildings

Several key roads leading to Parliament buildings have been closed off by security officers.

Parliament Road and City Hall Way, among others, have been shut down to vehicular traffic and pedestrian access as security measures intensify.

Police water cannons and lorries have been used as barricades at key roundabouts leading to parliament.

Access to the area has been fully restricted and only open to authorized personnel upon proper identification.

State House

Red-beret elite Reece squad of GSU with dozens of armoured police tankers were Tuesday morning parked outside State House, Nairobi main Gate A - ahead of the demos.

A section of protesters hand hinted at marching to the State House.

Major cities and towns where demos are taking place:

  • Nairobi
  • Mombasa
  • Nakuru
  • Kisumu
  • Eldoret
  • Nyeri
  • Kisii
  • Taita Taveta
  • Turkana
  • Nyamira
  • Narok
  • Marsabit
  • Migori
  • Uasin Gishu
  • Laikipia
  • Homa Bay
  • Nyandarua
  • Kwale
  • Bungoma
  • Tana River
  • Murang'a
  • Makueni
  • Trans Nzoia
  • Thika

Major Towns

Nairobi

Running battles have ensued in Nairobi Central Business District after police dispersed anti-finance bill protesters.

A crowd of protesters had gathered to demonstrate against the Finance Bill 2024 when chaos erupted.

Police hurled teargas canisters at the protesters who were armed with water and mobile phones to express their stand against the Bill.

Crowds had gathered as early as 7 am around the Kenya National Archives.

Most shops are closed as protests gain momentum.

Eldoret

Youths in Eldoret on Tuesday gathered in various areas ahead of the planned protests.

Riot police have taken positions in Eldoret where youth have begun gathering for the Finance Bill protests.

Hundreds of police officers have been deployed on the streets ahead of the demos.

The Uasin Gishu county government headquarters is among the key installations where security has been beefed up.

Mombasa

Thousands of young protesters have taken to the streets of  Mombasa's central business district to demonstrate against the Finance Bill 2024.

Dressed mostly in black and carrying anti-government placards, the demonstrators came from all six sub-counties of Mombasa: Kisauni, Nyali, Changamwe, Jomvu, Likoni, and Mvita.

Mobilization for the protest was organized over the weekend via social media platforms.

Protesters from Nyali and Kisauni gathered at Kengeleni along the Mombasa-Malindi highway, while those from Changamwe and Jomvu met at Saba Saba along Jomo Kenyatta Avenue.

Demonstrators from Mvita and Likoni converged at Mapembeni along Moi Avenue before the protest began on Tuesday.

The demonstrations have disrupted traffic on major roads in Mombasa.

Despite the presence of a few police officers, the protests have continued without interference.

The youth have pledged to vote out President William Ruto and his Members of Parliament if the Finance Bill, currently in its third reading, is passed.

Kisumu

Anti-Finance Bill demonstrators in Kisumu thronged various streets of the City in support of the 'Reject Finance Bill' call.

Peaceful protesters stormed the streets of the lakeside city with placards, songs, dances, and chanting anti-President William Ruto slogans.

The youths had gathered at Kondele grounds as early as 9 am where they started moving in groups and eventually began the protests.

Businesses in town remained paralyzed, with shops including supermarkets that had been earlier opened hastily closing by 9 am.

Transportation was also severely affected, with few vehicles seen stranded on the roads.

Police officers monitored the protestors along the streets.

Nakuru

Hundreds of youths have taken to the streets of Nakuru to Protest against the Finance Bill, 2024.

The group first gathered at Nakuru Railways Station, the heart of the City, before they marched to the central business district to protest.

The  groups were carrying placards and twigs which they waved as they thronged the Kenyatta Avenue chanting ant-Finance Bill protests,

Another group made a peaceful match from Stage 140 in Nakuru Town West in the same style and is set to join their colleagues in Nakuru Town East later in the day.

A contingent of armed police officers were deployed in strategic areas in the youngest city in Kenya and were keenly monitoring the protests.

Major Happenings

Thika road blocked as anti-Finance Bill protests intensify

Thika Road one of Nairobi's major highways Tuesday was brought to a standstill around noon as thousands of protesters took to the streets to voice their opposition to the Finance Bill 2024.

Police fire tear gas into bus in Nairobi CBD

Police in Nairobi fired tear gas inside a public service vehicle during the protests.

Some of the passengers were also seen camping for safety through the windows. 

Kenyans were also seen trying to help the passengers.

Kericho residents pull down UDA wheelbarrow symbol

Residents of Kericho have also joined the anti-Finance Bill protest.

On Tuesday some of the residents could be seen protesting at a petrol station within the county where they pulled down a UDA wheelbarrow erected next to the petrol station.

They could be heard singing anti-government songs and calling for total rejection of the Finance Bill 2024.

Supreme Court staff and lawyers helping demonstrators with water.

Supreme Court staff and lawyers were seen assisting demonstrators with water as they approached the Parliament.

They were seen throwing water bottles to Kenyans on the other side of the gate.

All major roads leading to Nairobi CBD blocked

Police have blocked all major roads leading to the Nairobi Central Business District.

No vehicle was allowed in and out of the Nairobi CBD by the time of going to press.

Along Waiyaki Way, for instance, the road was closed at the Uthiru area and Uthiru cooperation.

Nairobi protesters take a ride on police water cannon

Some Nairobi protesters were seen on top of a police water cannon during the ongoing protest against the Finance Bill 2024.

Protesters approach Parliament Buildings

A fierce clash ensued between protesters and the police after the former made an attempt to access the Parliament buildings.

Some of the protesters tried to access parliament from Uhuru Highway but were met by police resistance who fired tear gas at them.

Several protesters reportedly shot outside Parliament

The anti-Finance Bill protest took an ugly turn after several protesters were reportedly shot outside Parliament on Tuesday.

The incident happened as the protesters attempted to access the Parliament Buildings on Tuesday.

At least three protesters were reportedly shot outside Parliament Buildings as a mob battled police.

Police lorry goes up in flames outside Parliament Buildings

A police lorry has gone up in flames outside Parliament Buildings.

The incident occurred as demonstrators clashed with police.

The demonstrators were protesting against the Finance Bill 2024.

Protesters enter inside Parliament

Anti-Finance Bill protesters in their hundreds finally has entered inside Parliament.

The protesters entered inside Parliament hours after police shot a number of demonstrators outside Parliament Buildings.

The protesters also burned a number of vehicles belonging to the Police as tension escalated outside the country’s legislature.

A section of Parliament on Fire

Protesters have overpowered anti-riot police and entered Parliament buildings and set a section of it on fire.

MPs take cover as protesters stormed Parliament.

Anti-Finance Bill protesters in their hundreds on Tuesday afternoon entered inside Parliament.

The protesters entered inside Parliament hours after police shot a number of demonstrators outside Parliament Buildings.

The protesters also burned a number of vehicles belonging to the Police as tension escalated outside the country’s legislature.

Protesters vandalise, loot MP Oscar Sudi's Eldoret Club

Protestors in Eldoret stormed, vandalized and looted a club in Eldoret associated with kapseret MP Oscar Sudi

The club known as Timber XO is located along the Eldoret, Nairobi road.

The club was officially opened a few weeks ago during a ceremony attended by Sudi and several other MPs.

Holy Family Basilica teargassed, Red Cross workers take cover

Police have fired teargas canisters inside the Holy Family Basilica where the Red Cross has pitched a tent to offer emergency treatment to the injured protesters.

Pleas by emergency workers for police not to shoot fell on deaf ears forcing the aid providers to take cover.

“Don’t shoot, don’t shoot, this is Red Cross, please don’t shoot,” the aid workers shouted.

Section of county court and vehicles torched in Eldoret

The county court and enforcement offices in Eldoret were on Tuesday torched on Tuesday during the anti-Finance Bill protest.

More to follow...

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