Ruto Concedes, Gachagua Drops Bombshell & Return of Mass Abductions

Could it have been protesters eating rice meant for members of parliament or President Ruto panicking after Gen Z’s unrelenting anti-finance Bill demonstrations?

Whichever it was, President William Ruto finally bowed to pressure and withdrew the Finance Bill 2024 in its entirety.

However, this has still not quelled the anger among a section of Kenyans who have come out questioning the constitutionality of his move and just how much blood had to be shed for him to do away with the contentious bill.

Now, netizens have changed their goal and are rallying under the hashtag #roadtostatehouse, the official residence of the President of Kenya with the intention of doing away with the Kenyan Kwanza Government.

Welcome to The Roundup – Here are Top Stories of the Week

Ruto Withdraws Finance Bill 2024

President William Ruto on Wednesday, June 26 conceded and withdrew the Finance Bill 2024. 

He proposed budget cuts for his office as well as the renovations that had earlier been budgeted for.

“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nothing to do with the finance bill 2024, I concede and therefore will not sign the bill, and it shall therefore be withdrawn.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.

The head of state said he will be proposing new measures to ensure that he works with the youth to make decisions moving forward.

“I will be proposing an engagement with our young people, our sons and daughters, for us to listen to their views and proposals, ideas and concerns and what we think we should implement and do better going forward,” stated Ruto

Gachagua Throws NIS Boss Noordin Haji Under the Bus

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua defended President William Ruto over the recent chaos surrounding Finance Bill 2024. 

According to the Deputy President, Ruto was not properly informed about the views of the people and would otherwise not have pushed for the bill.

As such, he threw the blame at National Intelligence Service Director General Noordin Haji noting that NIS was dysfunctional and did not inform Ruto on time to allow him to take action. 

He also called for the resignation of the NIS boss.

“We invest in the National Intelligence Service (NIS) for this service, it is clear that there has been a failure in the intelligence and advise we are receiving about crucial government policies,” lamented Gachagua.

“Noordin Haji must take responsibility for the deaths that occurred, the mayhem and failing President Ruto. He must do the honorable thing to resign from that office.”

Gachagua also said that Haji had no capacity to run the service because he was out of the country most of the time, leaving Ruto exposed.

Calls for DP Gachagua Resignation

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has faced criticisms from Kenyans and a section of leaders after calling for the resignation of NIS boss Noordin Haji whom he roped into the deadly anti-government protests.

Former Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho termed the DP’s remarks as reckless and divisive, calling for his resignation.

“Having listened keenly to the address by the Deputy President this evening, I find it disturbing that a leader of his stature would issue such reckless statements at a time when government needs to be seen to be pulling in one direction,” said Joho.

Senior Counsel Ahmednassir Abdullahi echoed Joho’s words stating that the DPs remarks vindicated those who have been arguing that choosing him as President Willliam Ruto‘s Deputy was a bad decision.

“The vitriolic attack by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua against NIS DG Noordin Haji was uncalled for, baseless and shows the smallness and pettiness of a man a heartbeat from the Presidency.”

“Gachagua’s crudeness, rough edges and lack political skills vindicate those who all along argued that promoting the former DO 1 straight to the second highest office was a disaster waiting to happen. He is awfully unsuitable for the office he holds, and his daily utterances are a testimony to that,” noted Ahmednasir.

Safaricom Responds on Data Privacy Concerns

A section of Kenyans on social media on June 25, 2024, raised complaints, alleging that telecommunication company Safaricom was assisting the state in kidnapping and abducting anti-finance bill protesters.

According to the claims, Safaricom was providing communication data and real-time locations of people to government authorities.

Consequently, Kenyans raised concerns over data privacy issues as enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya.

The telco giant was as a result forced to clarify whether they are cooperating with the police to track down innocent protesters.

Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa clarified that it had not shared any of its customers’ information with any government agency.

“We respect our customers privacy and adhere strictly by the country’s data protection laws. As such we do not share any customer data unless explicitly required of us via a court order,” Safaricom said.

“On the current issue in discussion, we confirm that we have not received any court order requiring us to share customer information with any government agency.”

Kenya’s Parliament Invaded, Civilian Deaths Reported

On June 26, 2024, anti-finance bill protesters overwhelmed police officers and made it to Parliament.

This prompted a face-off with the officers leading to several being shot dead on parliament grounds as police began using live bullets.

In addition, a section of the Kenyan Parliament was set on fire after protestors occupied the building.

The angry Kenyan youth stormed inside after lawmakers had just passed the contentious bill that would introduce a raft of new taxes.

The protesters successfully breached the security protocols at the Parliament, after overpowering the anti-riot Police Officers.

As a result, the National Assembly was destroyed, and a civilian even made away with the Mace which is a symbol of legislative authority.

Some made their way into the Kitchen and ate food meant for members of parliament.

On that same day, several residents of Githurai 45 are reported to have been killed by police officers at night.

Videos of incidents at Githurai made rounds online the following day as internet had been shut down that night sparking condemnation and criticism on the government for deploying police alleged to have killed residents in Githurai.

Missing Persons/Abductions

Following the Gen Z-led demonstration, several youth who have been vocal on rejecting Finance Bill 2024 were reported missing.

According to reports, some were abducted by unknown people claimed to be police officers while others arrested and later released.

Upon being declared missing, Kenyans online rallied calling for their release under various hashtags prompting humanitarian bodies and the civil society including Law Society of Kenya (LSK) to intervene.

Some of the Kenyan youth abducted/arrested during the demonstrations incommunicado include popular political commentator and newspaper columnist Gabriel Oguda who was allegedly abducted on June 25 and released the following day.

Osama Otero, who has been hosting popular X Spaces opposing the Finance Bill 2024 was also reportedly abducted by unknown people on June 25 and later released the same day.

Other X users who are suspected of having been abducted include Drey Mwangi, TemperCR7, Harriet, Franje, Worldsmith and Hilla254.

John Frank Githiaka alias Franje, Shadrack Kiprono, alias Shad Khalif and Dr. Austin Omondi, also known as Ja Prado, were also abducted and released after uproar.

Also Big This Week

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula issued directives to the House regarding the Finance Bill 2024 after President Ruto rejected it.

In a statement on Thursday, June 27, Wetangula referred the bill to Finance Committee for consideration since the National Assembly is on recess. He directed the Committee to deliberate on the president’s considerations and report to the House after the break.

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) announced the licensing of an additional 7 Digital Credit Providers (DCPs) after receiving more than 550 applications since March 2022.

Kenyans used Mchanga online platform to raise funds for victims of anti-finance bill protests which started on Tuesday, 18, June 2024. In the fund drive, they raised more that Ksh10 Million.

Photo of the Week

A Kenyan youth carries an old woman to safety amid chaos during the Tuesday, June 25 anti-finance bill protests in Nairobi CBD.

Finance Bill Day 3 Recap

On Tuesday June, 25, 2024 the Kenya was engulfed in chaos and bloodshed as police battled protesters in different towns across the country, leaving several dead and property worth millions destroyed.

The #rejectthefinacebill demonstrators occupied streets in major towns paralyzing transport and businesses.

Compiled by
Lynn-Linzer Kibebe

Graphics by Felix Kabugi

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