Hours after President William Ruto withdrew the Finance Bill 2024 in its entirety, relative calm ushered June 27, the day protesters had planned to march to State House.
Ruto bowed to pressure on Wednesday June 26, after protesters invaded parliament, leading to the deaths of dozens, and a trail of destruction.
“Listening keenly to the people of Kenya who have said loudly they want nothing to do with the finance bill 2024, I concede and therefore will not sign the bill, and it shall therefore be withdrawn. I have agreed with MP’s that it becomes our collective position,” he said.
Despite the withdrawal of the Finance bill, Kenyans youth have vowed to still hold protests in various parts of the country, citing that the issue at hand was no longer the finance bill but the rejection of President William Ruto’s administration as a whole.
Here’s is a real-time update on latest events in the anti-Finance Bill protests.
4:05 pm: Police in Nyeri block the King’ong’o Junction so as to prevent Dedan Kimathi University students from accessing Nyeri town amid the anti-govt protests.
3:36 pm: Police fire shots at protestors in Mombasa, footage shows protestors fleeing as police aim at them.
3:30 pm: A group of policemen are captured on camera roughing up a security guard in Nairobi’s CBD.
3:19 pm: Medics at Jamia Mosque erect a barrier against the anti-government protesters to shield the injured, who are receiving treatment, from police retaliation.
2:56 pm: Traders securing their businesses chase away protestors trying to access Luthuli Avenue.
2:40 pm: Men armed with batons patrol the streets of Eldoret amid the anti-govt demos.
2:28 pm: Protesters attempt to forcibly enter the residence of Nyaribari Chache MP Zaheer Jhanda but are stopped by police.
2:10 pm: Anti-govt protestors in Kakamega march towards Kakamega State Lodge.
1:56 pm: Protestors Surround a KDF Vehicle in Nairobi CBD chanting “Ruto Must Go”
1:42 pm: Police barricade observed along Ronald Ngala Street in Nairobi CBD.
1:37 pm: Luthuli Avenue traders arm themselves with batons (Rungus) vowing to protect their businesses from would be looters.
1: 28 pm: Heavy police presence witnessed outside State House Kisumu as the anti-govt protests gain momentum.
Footage from the scene shows protestors taunting the police while singing “Yote yawezekana bila Ruto”
1:05 pm: Makueni County residents begin the anti-government demonstrations with footage showing bonfires lit and stone barricades placed on the road.
12:58 pm: Police officers begin the arrest of anti-government protestors in Nairobi.
Footage shared by KTN News, shows a handcuffed protestor being dragged by police.
12:50 pm: Police launch teargas canisters at protestors along Moi Avenue who are heard chanting “Ruto Must Go!”
12:45 pm: Protestors confront a group of police officers along Moi Avenue, Nairobi CBD.
12: 15 pm: A police officer has reportedly been injured while engaging protestors in running battles in Migori. Reports suggest that he was hit by a stone.
12: 05 pm: Kisumu youth engage police in running battles, with footage showing protestors fleeing as police chase them with vehicles.
11: 40 am: Anti-govt protests kick off in Kikuyu and Kisii towns.
11.35 am: Protests kick off in Mombasa with protestors taking to the streets armed with placards, whistles and vuvuzelas.
11.20 am: Live footage from Nyayo Stadium show the heavy deployment of Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) troops at the scene.
11:15 am: Kisumu youth take to the streets in protest, footage from the scene shows youth gathered at an underpass blowing vuvuzelas while chanting “Ruto must Go!!”
11:00 am: Kakamega residents begin the anti-government demonstrations
10:50 am: Kenya Defense Force (KDF) motorcade spotted along Langata Road.
10: 40 am: Migori residents taunt police by throw stones at them as they try to block them from accessing the road.
10:35 am: Footage from Kisumu shows, a calm state with no sign of protests, residents are also seen going about their day, however, a number of business premises along the Kisumu-Kakamega highway remain closed.
10:30 am: Calm scenes observed along major roads leading to the Nairobi CBD, footage seen shows no activity along Thika Road as well as Ngong Road.
10:05 am: Lodwar, Turkana residents begin their demos with footage showing youth walking through the town in multitudes while chanting Reject!! Reject!!
9:35 am: Protests Kick off in Eldoret, footage seen by The Kenya Times shows a large crowd of youth running through the town while chanting slogans.
9:30 am: Reports have emerged indicating that a private helicopter allegedly belonging to President William Ruto has been spotted conducting aerial surveillance operations within the CBD.
This news has sparked questions and discussions among netizens regarding the reasons behind the use of a private chopper for such surveillance activities instead of a typical police helicopter.
9:10 am: Youth in Naivasha paint over UDA offices, covering the signature yellow paint with white.
08:33 am: Demonstrations begin in Migori town with footage showing bonfires and roadblocks.
8:20 am: Hundreds of KDF officers have been deployed along State House Road blocking all entry and exit to State House.
8:00 am: Heavy police presence within the Nairobi CBD ahead of the expected demos.
7: 30 am: Minimal traffic along major roads leading to the CBD, businesses are closed ahead of the anticipated demos.
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