Parliament under a hail of stones after MPs pass Finance Bill

Angry youth attacked Parliament Buildings soon after MPs passed the Finance Bill, 2024 on Thursday evening.

The youth, who had been protesting all day long in Nairobi’s Central Business District pelted stones at structures and cars parked inside Parliament Buildings.

Parliamentary staff were forced to scamper for safety as the youth caught them by surprise.

The National Police Service quickly issued a statement stating that it will not allow demonstrators to either occupy critical government infrastructure including Parliament Buildings, or disrupt the ongoing Parliamentary proceedings.

A statement signed by Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome said NPS respects provisions of Article 37 of the Constitution stipulating the right of citizens to assemble, demonstrate and picket but will not allow attacks on government infrastructure.

“The National Police Service reiterates its commitment to maintain law and order; and protect life and property,” Koome said.

A total of 204 MPs voted yes for the Finance Bill, 2024 against 115 who rejected it.

The Bill now proceeds to the Committee of the whole House for consideration of proposed amendments.

The Committee is comprised of the whole membership of the National Assembly.

"Members, the matter of the Finance Bill are now over, we wait for the committee of the whole, those who have amendments to file, clerk and his team will process those amendments," Speaker Wetangu'la said.

Organisers of the Occupy Parliament protests, which began in Nairobi, had demanded that the bill be rejected in its entirety.

The protests paralysed businesses in major town centres as police engaged different groups in running battles.