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Live blog: Nationwide anti-govt protests enter third week

Live blog: Nationwide anti-govt protests enter third week
Police offices are pictured in the Nairobi city centre during anti-government protests on July 2, 2024. (Photo: Justine Ondieki/EV)

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The protests were planned despite President William Ruto conceding to pressure by the Gen Zs to withdraw the Finance Bill 2024 and outlining austerity measures.

Anti-finance Bill protestors are expected to carry out another round of demonstrations countrywide as they continue to lobby for various issues, including the conviction of graft suspects, the audit of debt repayment, and the reduction of expenditure.ย 

The protests were planned despite President William Ruto conceding to pressure by the Gen Zs to withdraw the Finance Bill 2024. He also promised to reduce his salary and that of state officials, remove the offices of the First Lady, Second Lady, and Spouse of the Prime Cabinet Secretary from being funded by taxpayers, and assess the performance of his cabinet. The Eastleigh Voice is providing real-time updates on key events during today's protests.ย 

Keep reading

6.01 pm: Activist Boniface Mwangi, known as "The People's Watchman on social media platform X, announces that Wednesday, July 3, 2024, is the Day of Shame - for naming and shaming individuals in Ruto's government who have featured in scandals, before and after their appointments.

5.50 pm: Activist Boniface Mwangi urges #OccupyCBDTuesday protesters to return home, saying, "Good people. Letโ€™s go home. As usual, the government has let goons take over, loot, and burn property again. Itโ€™s a shame it has come to this."

4.36 pm: ODM leaders hold a press conference in Nairobi at which they announce a plan to recall six MPs who voted for the Finance Bill, state that the youth behind the anti-government protests have earned their respect, and declare that President Ruto "must stop his police officers from killing innocent Kenyans".

4.09 pm: Police officers man Luthuli Avenue in Nairobi city centre to ward off looters eyeing shops in the downtown area. Business owners also take it upon themselves to protect their assets from looters.

Owners of businesses along Luthuli Avenue in the Nairobi CBD guard their properties during anti-government protests on July 2, 2024. (Photo: Barack Oduor/EV)

3.28 pm: Tension high in Kwale County as machete-wielding gangs take over protests and engage in running battles with the police. Transport paralysed along Mombasa-Lunga Lunga Highway as matatu operators withdraw vehicles.

3.14 pm: Police officers are deployed to KCB along Tom Mboya Street in Nairobi, near Archives, following reports that gunshots are being fired. Reports indicate that a policeman and a civilian have been shot.

Police officers at the KCB along Tom Mboya Street in Nairobi, near Archives, on July 2, 2024, following reports of gunshots amid protests against the government. (Photo: Hafsa Hassan/EV)

3.11 pm: #OccupyCBDTuesday protesters leave empty coffins on Moi Avenue near Jevanjee Gardens in Nairobi.

3.05 pm: Police face a difficult time warding off protesters gathered at various points in the city. They turn to the use of water cannons to contain crowds.

3.02 pm: Medics at Jamia Mosque continue to attend to injured protesters.

Medics attend to an injured protester at the Jamia Mosque in Nairobi on July 2, 2024. (Photo: Barack Oduor/EV)

2.59 pm: Plainclothes police officers are seen in the Nairobi CBD, along with their uniformed counterparts, as protests continue.

Plainclothes police offices are pictured in the Nairobi city centre during anti-government protests on July 2, 2024. (Photo: Hafsa Hassan/EV)

2.28 pm: Activist Kasmuel Mcoure says they will not tire protesting until President William Ruto leaves office. He joined protesters who were engaging the police in running battles on Kimathi Street in the Nairobi CBD.

2.24 pm: Atif Darr, CEO of Crescent Medical Aid Kenya, says they attended to 16 casualties from morning to noon, at the Jamia Mosque, and that the number is expected to rise following intensified battles between police and protesters.

2.20 pm: Protests turn ugly in Isiolo County as participants pelt stones at police officers who blocked them from proceeding to the county offices, following reports of a planned attack on the assembly.

Protesters in Isiolo County are pictured in a standoff with the police during anti-government demonstrations on July 2, 2024. (Photo: Waweru Wairimu/EV)

2.10 pm: Protests reach Waiyaki Way in Kangemi and Mlolongo along Mombasa Road. Participants block the roads by setting old tyres on fire while battling with the police in a bid to access the Nairobi central business district.

Qaffe Point in Mombasa County vandalised and cars set ablaze; Quickmart supermarket in Mtwapa broken into.

1:57 pm: K24 Reporter Joel Chacha sustains leg injury while covering the protests

1:53 pm: - One man shot along Tom Mboya Street near Imenti House.

1:22 pm: - A protester loses inches of his fingers during protests in Nairobi CBD. Other protesters helped him rise up and seek medical attention.

1:07 pm: -A well-wisher distributes water to police and participants of the #OccupyCBDTuesday protests along Kenyatta Avenue.

12:59 pm: -Police rescue a suspected thief from lynching after he was caught by anti-government protesters in Mombasa.

12:57 pm: - Protesters congregate around Ambwere Plaza in Kakamega County as they begin marching along Kakamega-Mumias Highway.

12:55 pm: - Protests break out in Kitui County.

12:50 pm: - Police battle it out with protesters along Tom Mboya and Kimathi streets. The anti-riot officers lobbed tear gas and shot in the air to disperse protesters, who are now growing in number.

Confrontation with police is concentrated around the Nation Centre, Imenti House, and the Kenya National Archives, where youths chanting anti-government slogans have lit bonfires.

12:44 pm: - Protesters in Mlolongo vandalise the Nairobi Expressway's metal barriers.

12:36 pm: - ย Police lob teargas to disperse #OccupyCBDTuesday protesters at Nairobi's Odeon.

12:30 pm: - Protesters block Waiyaki Way with stones and also engage in a running battle with police at Kangemi.

12:15 pm: - Kisumu protesters play football on the road as police watch.

12:12 pm: - Police engage in a running battle with #OccupyCBDTuesday protesters along Tom Mboya Street.ย 

12:00 pm: - Protests break out in Nakuru County.

11:56 am: - Amnesty International calls on the National Police Service (NPS) and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to uphold their constitutional obligations to protect and facilitate peaceful protestors during the #OccupyEverywhere protests underway countrywide.

11:50 am: - Sizeable crowds start gathering at the National Archives along Moi Avenue in Nairobi CBD.

11:48 am: - In photos: Shops closed as demonstrations proceed in Mombasa.

11:45 am: - Thika Road witnesses a smooth flow of traffic with police said to have erected security checkpoints in anticipation of protesters heading to the Nairobi Central Business District.

Several lorries carrying Kenya Defence Forces officers were spotted heading to the CBD, and another to Thika. However, President Ruto assured that the military will not man the streets unless the protests turn violent. "They will be deployed to the streets as a last resort," Ruto stated during a roundtable media interview on Sunday.

11:35 am: - Mombasa residents participate in the #OccupyCBDTuesday demos.

11:oo am: - Nairobi Police Boss Adamson Bungei consults with police officers at the entrance to Parliament. Bungei is coordinating the officers patrolling around the CBD to keep off protestors who are regrouping around Tom Mboya Street.

Nairobi Police Boss Adamson Bungei consults with officers at the entrance to Parliament as Tuesday, July 2, 2024, protests commence. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)

10:50 am: - Police and military officers seal off sections of roads accessing Parliament, and erect roadblocks to screen motorists.

10:44 am: - Protests break out in Mombasa, Kisumu, and Ngong Road in Nairobi.

10:42 am: - Transport is paralysed and businesses are closed in Migori town, Migori County, as anti-government demos get underway.

Protesters light a fire in the middle of a highway in Migori town, Migori County, on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. (Photo: Hot 96 FM)

10:30 am: - Uhuru Highway, which usually experiences traffic jams on weekdays, has few motorists using it ahead of #OccupyCBDTuesday.

Uhuru Highway which usually experiences traffic jams on weekdays, has less traffic ahead of #OccupyCBDTuesday on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. (Photo: Barack Oduor)

9:30 am: - Anti-riot police are seen patrolling Tom Mboya Street as passersby and business people continue with their businesses.

Heavy police presence in Nairobi CBD in anticipation of the #OccupyCBDTuesday protests on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)

 

9:10 am: - Police officers start patrolling the Kenya National Archives along Tom Mboya Street, anticipating the protests scheduled for today.

Police officers on standby at the Kenya National Archives on Tom Mboya Street, anticipating #OccupyCBDTuesday protests on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. (Photo: Barack Oduor)

9:00 am - Businesses remain closed in the Nairobi CBD in anticipation of #OccupyCBDTuesday protests.

Photos by: Barack Oduor/EV

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