In a notable turn of events amidst ongoing demonstrations against the Finance Bill, a rival group of Kenyans has today held a peaceful protest in the streets of Nairobi.
The group comprising bodaboda operators and business traders marched peacefully through the city streets of the town while wielding placards.
"Wacheni wazazi wafanye kazi CBD" (Allow parents to come and work in the CBD),” messages in some of the placards read.
Some were also heard chanting "acheni vurugu tujenge nchi yetu" (stop the chaos, let's build our country).
"It's hard on us too but we choose to work" other placards read.
Security officers maintained a watchful presence as the demonstrators navigated through the streets.
The counter-protest comes as a response to recent anti-finance bill protests that gripped various parts of the country.
The Finance Bill, 2024, which has spurred heated discussions aims to introduce new tax measures.
And, with the anti-finance bill protests expected to continue tomorrow, tension remains palpable in various parts of the country.
Organisers outlined Friday a series of events that will culminate in round two of Occupy Parliament demos.
“Day 5, Tuesday, June, 25: #OccupyParliament. A national strike. Gen Z is granting all hard-working Kenyans a day off. Parents keep your children at home in solidarity.”
MPs are set to debate the bill before conducting a final vote to either pass or reject it.
This, however, comes in the wake of a caution by Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga to protesters of possible arrests.
Ingonga underscored the constitutional right to peaceful demonstration but emphasised the need to adhere to legal procedures.
“In all what we are doing let us obey the law. Any demonstrations that are done without following the law will lead to arrests,” he said.
“You will be arrested and when arrested do not come and cry oppression but instead ask what those arrested were doing.”
