Live blog: Nationwide anti-govt protests enter third week
By Barack Oduor and John Mbati |
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
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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.
Wednesday 3rd July 2024, Day of Shame: Name and shame individuals in Zakayo's government who have featured in all manner of scandals, before and after their appointments. His administration is a den of thieves, and the world should be reminded of that. #๐ ๐๐๐๐ฌ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ฆ๐ pic.twitter.com/NAajsG7Yez
— The Peopleโs Watchman (@bonifacemwangi) July 2, 2024
5.50 pm: Activist Boniface Mwangi urges #OccupyCBDTuesday protesters to return home, saying, "Good people. Letโs go home. As usual, the government has let goons take over, loot, and burn property again. Itโs 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".
Our position is simple, Pres. Ruto must stop his police officers from killing innocent Kenyans. He must listen to the cries of Kenyans and act responsibly. pic.twitter.com/zELBEB2AAP
— The ODM Party (@TheODMparty) July 2, 2024
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.
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.
3.11 pm: #OccupyCBDTuesday protesters leave empty coffins on Moi Avenue near Jevanjee Gardens in Nairobi.
#OccupyCBDTuesday protesters leave empty coffins along Moi Avenue near Jevanjee Gardens, Nairobi. pic.twitter.com/bDK6b5mazb
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) July 2, 2024
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.
2.59 pm: Plainclothes police officers are seen in the Nairobi CBD, along with their uniformed counterparts, as protests continue.
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.
Nairobi CBD during the #OccupyCBDTuesday demos pic.twitter.com/PKdWWqsNuo
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) July 2, 2024
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.
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.
Qaffe point in Mombasa vandalized during the#OccuppyCBDTuesday protests; cars are set ablaze pic.twitter.com/bnrHyy2GqJ
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) July 2, 2024
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.
A well-wisher distributes water to participants of the #OccupyCBDTuesday protests along Kenyatta Avenue. pic.twitter.com/K2ZfKtdrPO
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) July 2, 2024
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.
Police lob teargas to disperse #OccupyCBDTuesday protesters at Nairobi's Odeon. pic.twitter.com/jXYtuRsj71
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) July 2, 2024
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
Police on a running battle with #OccupyCBDTuesday protester along Tom Mboya street pic.twitter.com/uEJADzcQYa
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) July 2, 2024
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.
#OccupyCBDTuesday demos kick off in Mombasa, most shops are closed pic.twitter.com/kt4HVFWRaG
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) July 2, 2024
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.
Mombasa residents participate in the #OccupyCBDTuesday demos pic.twitter.com/CghsrguWJ0
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) July 2, 2024
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.
10:50 am: - Police and military officers seal off sections of roads accessing Parliament, and erect roadblocks to screen motorists.
Sections of roads accessing Parliament sealed off in anticipation of the #OccupyCBDTuesday pic.twitter.com/zUXNuWGwFc
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) July 2, 2024
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.
10:30 am: - Uhuru Highway, which usually experiences traffic jams on weekdays, has few motorists using it ahead of #OccupyCBDTuesday.
9:30 am: - Anti-riot police are seen patrolling Tom Mboya Street as passersby and business people continue with their businesses.
9:10 am: - Police officers start patrolling the Kenya National Archives along Tom Mboya Street, anticipating the protests scheduled for today.
9:00 am - Businesses remain closed in the Nairobi CBD in anticipation of #OccupyCBDTuesday protests.
Photos by: Barack Oduor/EV
Businesses remain closed in Nairobi CBD in anticipation of #OccupyCBDTuesday protests. pic.twitter.com/YMbQlzw30I
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) July 2, 2024
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