Live Blog: Kenyans protest as House Team tables Finance Bill, 2024 report

The National Assembly Finance and National Planning Committee is expected to table its report on the Finance Bill, 2024, during its sitting on Tuesday afternoon.

Here are key updates as protests take place, with members of the public demanding the rejection of the bill over increased taxes even as they continue to navigate the high cost of living. 

4.50 pm: Police fire teargas inside Central Police Station in Nairobi to disperse lawyers present to attend to matters involving protestors arrested earlier in the day. . LSK president Faith Odhiambo is among those hit with the teargas.

At Central Police Station. https://t.co/1x8O71gxWk

— Faith Odhiambo (@FaithOdhiambo8) June 18, 2024

3.55 pm: Twenty-one organisations under the Police Reforms Working Group issue a statement demanding the immediate release of protestors, among them activists and journalists, and condemning police brutality. They say that at least 210 people were arrested.

Anti-riot police are pictured in the Nairobi Central Business District on June 18, 2024, during protests against Finance Bill, 2024. (Photo: Hafsa Hassan/EV)

Anti-riot police use tear gas to disperse people from the Nairobi central business district on June 18, 2024, during protests against the Finance Bill, 2024. (Photo: Hafsa Hassan/EV)

3.05 pm: Police impound a vehicle belonging to activist Boniface Mwangi at his office on Ngong Road as he planned to join the #RejectFinanceBill2024 protests in the Nairobi central business district.

2.33 pm: Police struggle to contain protesters determined to approach Parliament, resulting in running battles on City Hall Way.

The remnant of a device used by anti-riot police officers is pictured on a Nairobi CBD street on June 18, 2024, during protests against the Finance Bill, 2024. (Photo: Barack Oduor/EV)

The remnant of a device used by anti-riot police officers is pictured on a Nairobi CBD street on June 18, 2024, during protests against the Finance Bill, 2024. (Photo: Barack Oduor/EV)

1:57 pm: A contingent of anti-riot police officers counter protesters outside City Hall as they headed towards Parliament.

Anti-riot police are pictured in the Nairobi Central Business District on June 18, 2024, during protests against Finance Bill, 2024. (Photo: Hafsa Hassan/EV)

1.48 pm: Anti-riot police officers engage protestors in running battles at the junction of Moi Avenue-Kenyatta Avenue in the Nairobi CBD.

Anti-riot police are pictured in the Nairobi Central Business District on June 18, 2024, during protests against Finance Bill, 2024. (Photo: Hafsa Hassan/EV)

12:40 pm: Protesters march from Nation Centre, along Kimathi Street, towards Parliament

Members of the public protest against the Finance Bill, 2024, in the Nairobi Central Business District on June 18, 2024. (Photo: Hafsa Hassan/EV)

12:31 pm: Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo releases statement claiming the Nairobi Region Police Commander Adamson Bungei has instructed officers under his command to interfere with the peaceful protests organised by Kenyans outside Parliament Buildings today over the Finance Bill.

"We condemn the outright contempt by the police for the Constitution and the people of Kenya. The running battles and use of teargas on protestors that we have seen images of this morning are a despicable affront to the rule of law," Odhiambo stated.

12:23 pm: Anti-riot police battle anti-Finance Bill 2024 protesters who are trying to gain access to the Parliament.

Police lob teargas canisters to disperse some of the protestors. Dozens of protesters have been arrested and taken to Central Police Station.

#FinanceBill2024: Police lob teargas to disperse people within the Nairobi CBD following the protest dubbed #RejectFinance2024 pic.twitter.com/UY525tlDul

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) June 18, 2024

The protesters who are chanting "Ruto Must Resign" engage the police in cat and mouse game as most businesses remain shut in Nairobi CBD.

12:20 pm: Traffic flow, both pedestrian and vehicular, has been significantly reduced within Nairobi CBD. Some shops have begun partial closures in anticipation of the protests.

Police conduct thorough searches of individuals carrying bags as police presence increases significantly.

Protestors outside the Nation Centre in the Nairobi CBD. (Photo: Barack Oduor/EV)

Police actively dispersing any gatherings of protesters, using tear gas in some instances. The latest cases were reported near All Saints Cathedral and another along Kenyatta Avenue as the situation remains tense in the Nairobi CBD.

11:50 am: Police lob teargas canisters to disperse protestors within the CBD.

Teargas fills the air as anti-riot police disperse protestors outside the Nation Centre in the Nairobi CBD. (Photo: Barack Oduor/EV)

11.26 am: Kenya Kwanza MPs hold a presser after their Parliamentary Group meeting at State House Nairobi.

National Assembly Finance and National Planning Committee chairman Kimani Kuria dropped several controversial proposals in the Bill after gathering various views during the public participation exercise that closed last Monday.

Kenya Kwanza MPs hold a presser on the Finance Bill, 2024 after their Parliamentary Group meeting at State House Nairobi. (Photo: PCS)

10:43 am: Several protestors arrested in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) on Tuesday morning ahead of the planned '#Occupy Parliament’ protest.

Among those arrested were Hanifa Adan a reporter at The Eastleigh Voice.

An #OccupyParliament protestor is arrested outside the Kenya National Archives in Nairobi CBD on June 18, 2024. (Photo: Hafsa Hassan/EV)

8:50 am: Police warn of potential traffic disruptions around Parliament Buildings due to a planned protest against the Finance Bill, 2024.

8:00 am: Heavy police presence outside Parliament buildings ahead of planned protests over the Finance Bill, 2024.

Police enhance security outside Parliament on June 18, 2024. (Photo: Justine Ondieki/EV)

7:00 am: President William Ruto convenes a Kenya Kwanza Parliamentary Group (PG) meeting at State House, Nairobi ahead of the tabling of the Finance Bill, 2024 report by the National Assembly's Finance and Planning Committee.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (left) and President William Ruto at the Kenya Kwanza PG meeting at State House on June 18, 2024. (Photo: PCS)