Coastal residents condemn local MPs while protesting against Finance Bill

Residents of Kenya's coastal regions, specifically Mombasa and Lamu, took to the streets on Monday to protest against the Finance Bill, expressing their discontent and also condemning local members of parliament (MPs) who supported the legislation.

The protests attracted large crowds, with demonstrators voicing their frustrations and concerns through chants and speeches.

In Mombasa, the protests were marked by a strong display of unity and peaceful resistance. The crowd, chanting Tumechoka which can be loosely translated to mean they are tired, marched through the streets, demanding accountability and action from their elected representatives.

Swaleh Abdallah, a Mombasa resident, voiced his anger, saying, "We are tired of being used. We are all Kenyans, and as Nyali residents, this protest is peaceful. If you try to disrupt us, Generation Z, do as you wish. You will truly kill us. This is just a trailer."

Lamu residents on Monday, June 24, 2024, opposed the Finance Bill. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein/EV)

Abdallah criticised the government and the police, accusing them of harassment and negligence, adding "These police, you give orders to hurt us, let them hurt us. Better to die than be harassed by the DCI. This is oppression. You say I should shout on TikTok to eat. I don't know the president, MP, or governor. You have failed to end drug abuse in Mombasa, and corruption is rampant in Kenya. You are stashing Kenyan money abroad [sic]."

Another resident, Lydia Adhiambo, directed her frustration at Nyali MP Mohamed Ali, a former KTN journalist known for his investigative features, Jicho Pevu.

"I want to talk to Moha. You came here with Rigathi Gachagua and President Ruto to end drug abuse in Mombasa. You failed because you wanted to stay up there and then come and say Mombasa wants these and that. This isn't over. We are just starting the protests [sic]."

Activist Mathias Shipeta of Haki Africa (in white) leads Mombasa protesters in rejecting the Finance Bill 2024 on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein/EV)

Adhiambo continued, "You want to divide us. Regular people are here, and VIPs too. Fire your advisors, Mr. President. Why are we at the MP's office today?  Because this is a warning. Today, we are just greeting them. Why don't you vote? Why don't you come out? You were Jicho Pevu, but now you are silent. Did the lion get wet and become a cat?"

She emphasised the unity and resolve of the youth, saying that power belongs to the people. Adhiambo vowed to join the Tuesday protests titled Total Shutdown and also dared the local MP to vote for the bill in its third reading stage, which would see it become an Act and ascended to by President William Ruto.

"Tomorrow, come out and vote. You sent the police (to us) yet you didn't even provide them with water. We are the ones who do. Stop abducting us. We came in peace. You sent a whole truck of officers. What's our problem? We are not terrorists, we have our rights. We will fight like our national anthem says. Either you say no or no. There is no in-between. If he (an unidentified executive official accused of bribing MPs to support the bill) has been given money, let him say so."

Meanwhile, in Lamu, residents also took to the streets, carrying placards with the names and pictures of MPs who voted in favour of the Finance Bill.

Protesters in Lamu (left) and Mombasa (right) protest against the Finance Bill 2024. (Photos: Farhiya Hussein/EV)

They labelled these MPs as traitors, accusing them of betraying the trust of the people who elected them. Residents chanted and expressed their frustrations openly.

Mwanaisha Hassan, a Lamu resident, said, "We are deeply disappointed by our MPs who supported this Finance Bill. They have betrayed us. We elected them to represent our interests, but they have chosen to support policies that oppress us."

Another resident, Abdallah Shee, complained that the Finance Bill will only make life harder for the locals, who are already struggling to make ends meet. Our MPs have turned their backs on us. They are supposed to be our voice in parliament, but they have failed us. This is a wake-up call for them to start listening to the people."

Fatuma Abdalla, holding a placard with an MP's photo, added, "These are the faces of betrayal. We will not forget their votes. They need to come back and explain to us why they voted yes."

The protests in both Mombasa and Lamu reflect a broader dissatisfaction with the current government and its policies, particularly the Finance Bill, which many believe will have detrimental effects on the already struggling economy.

Heavy police presence in Nyali during anti-Finance Bill protests on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein/EV)