Live blog: Anti-Finance Bill demos go countrywide as MPs finalise debate

Anti-finance Bill protestors have begun another round of demonstrations across the country as they continue to lobby for the rejection of the Finance Bill, 2024 by Members of Parliament.

The Eastleigh Voice will provide real-time updates of key events during the protests which are expected to continue as MPs in the National Assembly finalise the debate on the Bill.

6:00 pm - Protesters light bonfires on Moi Avenue in the Nairobi CBD as MPs approve Finance Bill,2024.

#REJECTFINANCEBILL2024 Protesters light bonfires on Moi Avenue in the Nairobi CBD as MPs approve Finance Bill,2024. pic.twitter.com/jPMZr4q3Ve

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) June 20, 2024

5:53 pm - Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome issues a warning saying the police will neither condone nor approve efforts by demonstrators to either occupy critical government infrastructure including government buildings or disrupt parliamentary proceedings.

5:37 pm - Results of the Division on Second Reading of Finance Bill, 2024

YES - 204

NO - 115

Abstention - 0

This means that the Finance Bill, 2024 now proceeds to the Third Reading.

5:06 pm - Uhuru Highway and Kenyatta Avenue blocked by protestors as police attempt to disperse them.

Protestors kneel along Uhuru Highway. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)

Police officers along Uhuru Highway. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)

A police officer lobs a teargas cannister to disperse protestors on Uhuru Highway. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)

Anti-Finance Bill protestors on Kenyatta Avenue. (Hafsa Hassan)

Anti-Finance Bill protestors on Kenyatta Avenue. (Hafsa Hassan)

Anti-Finance Bill protestors on Kenyatta Avenue. (Hafsa Hassan)

4:29 pm - The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists & Dentists Union (KMPDU) says the #MedicsForKenya team has reported treating over 300 injured demonstrators in Nairobi.

"This brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters not only violates basic human rights but also undermines the democratic principles that protect free speech and assembly. It's imperative that we hold those responsible accountable and advocate for policing reforms that ensure the safety and dignity of all citizens," KMPDU SG Davji Atellah says. 

4:11 pm - National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula directs the division bell to be rang. MPs will vote manually (by roll-call) to decide whether the Finance Bill, 2024 proceeds to the next stage.

Each MP is expected to go on record on how they vote for the Finance Bill to be read a second time.

3:45 pm - Mombasa anti-Finance Bill protestors take to the streets joining the rest of the countrywide demos. This is the second straight day of protests in the Coastal city.

The countrywide #REJECTFINANCEBILL2024 protests in Mombasa is ongoing as residents demonstrate against the Finance Bill, 2024.
🎥: @Farhiyah14 pic.twitter.com/FjwjeezY1g

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) June 20, 2024

3:00 pm - Crowds swell on Kenyatta Avenue in the Nairobi CBD chanting anti-government slogans as they seek to access Parliament Road.

The countrywide #REJECTFINANCEBILL2024 protesters marching along Kenyatta Avenue in Nairobi; police officers use water canon to disperse them pic.twitter.com/fMV5hNDZOT

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) June 20, 2024

A group of protestors on Kenyatta Avenue in the Nairobi CBD. (Photo: Barack Oduor)

2:45 pm - Police battling with protesters on Uhuru Highway as they seek to access Parliament Road.

Police use water cannons to disperse protestors on Uhuru Highway. (Photo: Barack Oduor)

Police use water cannons to disperse protestors on Uhuru Highway. (Photo: Barack Oduor)

2:43 pm - National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah assures that there is no MP who has been unable to access Parliament saying the extra-security deployed outside parliament was meant for the MPs' safety.

"The Inspector General of Police confirmed to me mid-morning that there were organised groups who had planned to take siege of Parliament and criminal elements who also intended to use the ongoing peaceful demonstrations under the pretext of the peaceful demonstrations to access Parliament and cause harm to MPs," Ichung'wah said.

2:38 pm - National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi reiterates his concerns over the cordoning off of Parliament Buildings by police officers insisting that Parliament was under 'siege' which is causing unnecessary tension in the country.

"This is the highest organ of our democracy. Could we get a report on what is actually happening and an assurance that this House remains independent and free to transact its business as mandated by the Constitution? Otherwise, we shall be acting now under some kind of duress," Wandayi said.

2:30 pm - National Assembly resumes sitting for the afternoon session.

1:45 pm - Police using water cannons to try and disperse protestors on Cardinal Otunga Street as the protesters try and make their way towards Parliament.

Water cannons were deployed to disperse protestors on Cardinal Otunga Street. (Photo: Barack Oduor)

Water cannons were deployed to disperse protestors on Cardinal Otunga Street. (Photo: Barack Oduor)

1:20 pm - Protestors have broken the police cordon and are now at City Hallway in huge crowds heading to Parliament.

From Kenyatta Avenue, City Hall Way, Muindi Mbingu, Kimathi and Wabera streets filled with protestors as they attempt to access Parliament Road.

The countrywide #REJECTFINANCEBILL2024 protests in Nairobi ongoing as residents demonstrate against the Finance Bill, 2024. pic.twitter.com/QLy0xdq4rd

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) June 20, 2024

Outside the I&M building at the junction of Kenyatta Avenue and Muindi Mbingu Street, police kept battling protestors as they kept regrouping.

Police firing in the air and lobbing teargas to disperse the crowds who are regrouping as they maintain their march towards Parliament.

Teargas filled the air along Kenyatta Avenue outside the General Post Office. (Photo: Hafsa Hassan)

1:00 pm - National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula adjourns sitting until 2:30 pm for the afternoon session.

12: 55 pm - Protesters in Nairobi CBD share their views on why they are participating in the ongoing protests.

Protesters in Nairobi CBD share their views on why they are participating in the ongoing #REJECTFINANCEBILL2024 protests
🎥: @MwangiMaina_ pic.twitter.com/7q2m24p9eN

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) June 20, 2024

12:50 pm - As opposed to Tuesday when the protesters made a successful attempt to reach City Hall Way, today's protest has seen police cordon off roads leading to Parliament and arresting anyone they suspect as a picketer.

Several youths have been arrested while police patrol has been increased including officers who are in plain clothes and pouncing at protesters.

There's commotion at the Kenya National Archives area where running battles are concentrated as vehicles keep off. Businesses around the area remain shut.

Teargas seen outside the Kenya National Archives in the Nairobi CBD. (Photo: Hafsa Hassan)

12:45 pm - Police in Nairobi are currently battling protesters who have staged demos as they aim to reach Parliament.

Police lobbing teargas and engaging protesters in running battles in the Nairobi CBD. Protesters who are chanting anti-government slogans are concentrated around Moi Avenue and Tom Mboya streets.

12: 30 pm - President William Ruto at Garissa University’s 5th graduation says MPs should pass the Finance Bill, 2024 to secure jobs for intern teachers, fund HELB and the school feeding programme.

President William Ruto at Garissa University’s 5th graduation ceremony on June 20, 2024. (Photo: PCS)

12:00 pm - Heavy police presence witnessed in Nairobi's CBD as they seek to contain the anti-finance Bill protestors who continue with their demos in the capital.

Police on horseback patrol the streets of Nairobi CBD. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)

Anti-riot police stand guard on the junction of Wabera Street and City Hall Way. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)

#REJECTFINANCEBILL2024 protests in Nairobi ongoing as residents chant ''Ruto Must Go!" as they demonstrate against the Finance Bill, 2024.#OccupyParliament pic.twitter.com/FHIPMUKXe8

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) June 20, 2024

Scores of protestors as residents chant ''Ruto Must Go!" as they continue demonstrating against the Finance Bill, 2024.

Teargas canisters lob along Kenyatta Avenue and Muindi Bingu Street as police attempt to scatter protestors who continue to chant anti-finance bill slogans.

10:45 am- Youths in groups take to the streets in Nanyuki town, Laikipia County singing and chanting slogans rejecting the Finance Bill, 2024.

10:34 am - Protestors in Isiolo County take to the streets in protest over the Bill. The youths have warned Isiolo MPs against voting for the Finance Bill, 2024.

Anti-finance Bill protestors take to the streets in Isiolo Town on June 20, 2024. (Photo: Waweru Wairimu)

''Tumechoka!" Isiolo residents chant in the #REJECTFINANCEBILL2024 protest against the Finance Bill 2024 in Isiolo town. pic.twitter.com/TDwmOZJnIL

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) June 20, 2024

Anti-finance Bill protestors take to the streets in Isiolo Town on June 20, 2024. (Photo: Waweru Wairimu)

Anti-finance Bill protestors take to the streets in Isiolo Town on June 20, 2024. (Photo: Waweru Wairimu)

10:30 am - Youths in Kisumu join the countrywide demos carrying placards with messages expressing how they feel towards the Bill describing what they termed as “contemptuous".

10:04 am - Youths carrying placards and bandanas on their heads take to the streets in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu as they chant slogans against the Finance bill. Bodaboda riders wearing helmets and reflector jackets joined in the demos as they hooted and moved with the crowds in the town.

#REJECTFINANCEBILL2024 protests in Eldoret ongoing as residents chant ''Ruto Must Go!" pic.twitter.com/2Dp7aSznJ9

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) June 20, 2024

9:45 am - Protestors in Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Nyeri County take to the streets chanting “Ruto must go".

9:37 am - MPs debate on the Finance Bill, 2024 begins at the National Assembly.

9:20 am - Youths from Kilifi County march in the streets in solidarity with other Kenyans as they carried placards on the anti-finance Bill.

9:10 am -  Protesters chant 'Reject Finance Bill' as President William Ruto arrives in Garissa County to attend Garissa University's 5th Graduation ceremony.

#REJECTFINANCEBILL2024 protesters chant 'Reject Finance Bill' as President William Ruto arrives in Garissa County to attend Garissa University's 5th Graduation ceremony pic.twitter.com/hGM5gNhwZK

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) June 20, 2024

9:00 am - Youths throng the streets in Nakuru’s CBD to protest against the Finance Bill, 2024.

Anti-Finance Bill 2024 demonstrations start early in Nakuru in bid of the #REJECTFINANCEBILL2024 pic.twitter.com/LryUcywxQ6

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) June 20, 2024

6:00 am - Contingent of anti-riot police officers seen patrolling Nairobi CBD streets ahead of planned anti-finance Bill protests.

Heavy deployment of police officers in most parts of Nairobi CBD ahead of the planned #OccupyParliament protests.
🎥:@bonifacemwangi pic.twitter.com/2nsT1TeeAN

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) June 20, 2024