Anti-Finance Bill protests continue next week despite crackdown

The anti-Finance Bill protests will continue in the coming week—on Tuesday and Thursday—as Kenyans express their ire at legislators backing the proposed laws that would mean higher taxation for the public.

A poster on the planned activities shows the protests will enter the second week full of activity following the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Rex Kanyike Masai during Thursday's protests in Nairobi.

"Rex Kanyike Masai was our first born, a very calm child, very peaceful and obedient, he was shot on his thigh and a friend called us to inform us about the incident. The only mistake Rex did was to defend the rights of everyone, we want justice for our child." -Parents… pic.twitter.com/px3017uZZj

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) June 21, 2024

The activities that begin this weekend include a stop on all music in entertainment spots to allow a national crescendo of anti-finance bill chants at midnight.

On Sunday, politicians who voted for the bill will be denied opportunities to speak in church ahead of a planned boycott of their businesses on Monday.

The move will coincide with the collection of signatures to have them recalled from parliament before the protests resume on Tuesday across major towns in the country.

A break on Wednesday will allow the presentation of a petition to the Independent Policing and Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Inspector General of Police demanding justice for Masai.

This will be followed by another round of protests on Thursday.

Participants in the protests have vowed to continue piling the pressure for the bill to be rejected, describing some of the clauses as outrageous and in sheer disregard for public welfare.

"Despite our collective cry of rejecting Finance Bill, 2024, parliament gave the president the right to do wrong to 54 million Kenyans. Wee reject the Finance Bill in its entirety. Despite our peaceful protests, police have responded with bullets, killing two of our own, maiming many others and one person is in critical condition. We refuse to be silent so we are marching on," said activist Boniface Mwangi.

Despite our collective cry rejecting Finance Bill 2024, Parliament gave Zakayo the right to do wrong to 54 million Kenyans. We reject the Finance Bill in its entirety. And despite our peaceful protests, police have responded with bullets, killing two of our own, maiming many… pic.twitter.com/ogNBvpM2of

— The People’s Watchman (@bonifacemwangi) June 21, 2024

Meanwhile, security agencies have kicked off a crackdown on the perceived planners of the countrywide protests with reports of abductions and attempted abductions.

On Friday, Mwangi said he escaped a possible abduction after sharing the poster detailing next week's activities.

"I have survived a possible kidnapping attempt by DCI officers. Anyone who stands against the will of the people shall fail. I'm going to be offline. Continue with the struggle," he said on his social media platforms.

Activist Kelvin Wafula Bwire was picked up from his workplace for questioning on Friday and is yet to be released.

At the same time, George Diano and journalist Edgar Bwire were arrested in Eldoret and Nairobi, respectively, and released on Thursday.

Comedian Eric Omondi was apprehended after he was caught protesting outside parliament buildings, having missed the other protests while attending to preparations for his brother's burial. He was freed on Friday evening.

The events are occurring despite calls by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and civil society for the inspector general of police and Nairobi Police Commander Adamson Bungei to stop criminalising protests.

"We urge members of the public to report any incidences of violence or arrests during the peaceful protests to the Law Society of Kenya toll-free line 0800 720 434," LSK President Faith Odhiambo said.

Legal assistance will be accorded to those who have been unlawfully detained or suffered injuries during the anti-finance bill protests.

Meanwhile, civil society groups are monitoring and documenting activities to take legal action against police use of excessive force against peaceful protesters.