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MP John Kiarie apologises after discrediting anti-Finance Bill protests

Protesters react after police use water cannon to disperse them during a demonstration in Nairobi against the Finance Bill 2024/2025, on June 20, 2024. (Photo: REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi)

By Waweru Wairimu | Monday, June 24, 2024

He hailed the courage and creativity displayed by Gen Zs and other youths in advocating for change through innovative channels and platforms.

Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie has apologised to the young people rejecting the Finance Bill 2024 for discrediting last week's protests and insisting that images that went viral were doctored.

In a seemingly handwritten letter shared on his X account on Monday, Kiarie said that having been part of a movement advocating for social justice and good governance in the past, he could acknowledge the importance of vigilance and agitation for a better Kenya.

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I TRULY APOLOGISE for the comments I made regarding the protests and the authenticity of certain images.

In the heat of the moment during the debate on the finance bill, my words were unnecessary, misguided and insensitive. pic.twitter.com/AvvvoRrsao
— John Kj Kiarie (@KiarieJohn) June 24, 2024

Kiarie hailed the courage and creativity displayed by Gen Zs and other youths in advocating for change through innovative channels and platforms.

"I deeply regret my utterances," he said, adding this came "after reflection and also understanding the anger and frustration that exists in our nation ... anger that stems from decades of unresolved, but potent national issues."

"My words were unnecessary, misguided and insensitive. I am sincerely sorry for any provocation, hurt or confusion my words may have caused," he said.

The MP, in what was seen as a coordinated approach by legislators in the ruling Kenya Kwanza party to discredit the anti-tax protests, claimed last week that photographs of protesters were downloaded online and edited to drive an ill agenda.

"Some of the photos... I can tell you as a graphics editor that they do not belong to this country [sic]," he said.

Kenyans, however, downplayed Kiarie's apology, saying what matters to them is the total rejection of the bill.

"We will only accept the apology if you reject the bill in the third stage," Mark Collins Michir responded.

Other MPs, including Majority Leader Kimani Icungwa and Kapseret legislator Oscar Sudi, had also launched an onslaught on the demonstrators, saying they had no clue about the bill and were demonstrating to earn views online. They have since changed tune.

Earlier on Monday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki read the riot act to the demonstrators, vowing that the police would be firm and decisive in handling lawbreakers.

Speaking at Harambee House in Nairobi, the CS said the right to demonstrate is not the right to riot and that protestors must not breach public order, intimidate, harass or otherwise inconvenience others.