Police officers have been deployed in various parts of the country ahead of an expected showdown during the Finance Bill 2024 protests dubbed Occupy parliament.
Armed Officers have been stationed in various parts of Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) around Parliament Buildings.
Protestors intend to make their way to parliament premises and hold vigil in opposition of the Finance Bill 2024, whose debate continues.
Additionally, the Secretary General of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Davji Atella has issued hotline contacts for protestors who will be in need of medical attention during the protests.
“In case of any Medical Emergency / First Aid needs during the demonstration, reach out to these hotlines: 0708311740, 0739567483. Call/Send a message. A team of medics will call back and respond to your emergency,” he said in a statement.
9:00 AM: Hundreds of protestors gather in Eldoret town matching down the streets with banners and placards, while chanting ‘Ruto Must Go’ in protest of the Finance Bill.
10:19 AM: National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi has reported in parliament that many members have been blocked off by police officers and are unable to make it to parliament for the Finance Bill debate.
“Honorable Speaker, as you can see the House is not full and a number of members are finding it difficult to go through the police blockades to access the House.
“I’ve had to struggle to the House this morning. The problem is that the entire Parliament precincts is cordoned off by people who appear to be police officers,” he said.
However, Speaker Moses Wetangula has said that he has asked the clerk to check with police to keep him informed on any updates and allow him to act against any intimidation and negative pressure.
10:20 AM: Residents of Thika town have showed up for protests with vuvuzela as they sing ‘Yote yawezekana bila Ruto’ song, joining other protestors in different parts of the country including Nanyuki, Nyeri, Meru, Kisii, Nakuru, Kakamega and Kisumu.
11:00 AM: Journalists blocked from accessing Parliament Road in Nairobi CBD ahead of the planned protest.
11:40 AM: Presidential Aspirant Ruben Kagame joins protestors in Eldoret town. 11:40 AM: Protestors in Eldoret bring down a popular UDA wheelbarrow mounted within the CBD.
The Wheelbarrow was mounted in support of President William Ruto’s campaign during the 2022 general elections.
11:50 AM: CNN Journalist Larry Madowo accesses parliament premises after arriving in Nairobi CBD to cover the Finance Bill protests.
12:20 PM: Police lob teargas at Super Metro bus in Nairobi CBD.
12:41 PM: Youths in Garissa County shout Reject Finance Bill as Ruto’s Motorcade passes. The head of state was attending Garissa University firth commencement ceremony.
12:50 PM: A boda-boda man has helped a police officer escape a crowd that had cornered him in Nairobi CBD.
1:17 PM: Two protestors in Nairobi have been rushed to hospital after being shot by a teargas canister. The male victims were protesting along Kenyatta Avenue next to Equity bank when the incident occurred.
1:40 PM: Police commander asks fellow officer to stop using teargas. They have been ordered to charge and disperse the crowd instead.
