On Tuesday afternoon, anti-Finance Bill protesters successfully breached security barriers and entered inside Kenya’s Parliament Buildings. This unprecedented breach occurred mere hours after Members of Parliament (MPs) had voted to pass the Finance Bill, 2024.
The protesters’ entry into Parliament followed a tense standoff earlier in the day, during which police had clashed with demonstrators outside the Parliament Buildings. Reports indicated that several demonstrators had been shot by police, further escalating tensions in the vicinity.
The heightened security measures typically in place around Parliament, a gazetted area akin to State House, underscored the exceptional nature of the breach. Despite previous attempts by opposition leaders to stage protests at Parliament, security forces had successfully prevented demonstrators from entering the legislative premises until now.
The Finance Bill, 2024, which had been a focal point of the protests, garnered 195 votes in favor and 106 against among MPs. This legislative approval paves the way for President William Ruto to sign the bill into law, despite widespread public opposition and protests against its provisions.
Earlier in the day, protesters had managed to overpower police barricades and advance towards Parliament Road, eventually gaining access to the Parliament Buildings. This breach marked a symbolic victory for the demonstrators, who had mobilized in large numbers across various cities and towns to express their discontent with the Finance Bill.
The scenes of protesters inside Parliament, normally a bastion of legislative authority and security, highlighted the intensity of public sentiment against the bill’s economic measures. The protesters’ actions were met with swift condemnation from government officials and calls for calm from both sides amid fears of further escalation.
As the situation continued to unfold, with demonstrators inside Parliament and security forces attempting to regain control, the incident marked a significant chapter in Kenya’s history of civil unrest and legislative dissent.
MPs Take Cover Amid Anti-Finance Bill Demonstrations
Inside Parliament, scenes of unrest ensued as protesters hurled stones and engaged in acts of vandalism. This unprecedented breach and the ensuing clashes highlighted the deep-seated anger and frustration among demonstrators over the Finance Bill, 2024, which MPs had earlier approved amid widespread public opposition.
The bill’s passage, which received 195 votes in favor and 106 against, sets the stage for President William Ruto to potentially sign it into law despite vehement objections from various quarters of society, particularly youth and opposition groups.
The incursion into Parliament by protesters, who had mobilized in significant numbers across major cities and towns, underscored the intensity of public backlash against the bill’s economic measures. The breach disrupted parliamentary proceedings and prompted urgent security responses to contain the situation and protect MPs and staff.
Images from the scene showed protesters inside Parliament’s corridors, while MPs and parliamentary officials were seen evacuating or seeking refuge in secure areas within the complex. Reports indicated that several police vehicles were set ablaze by protesters outside Parliament, further exacerbating the chaotic scenes.
Nairobi Senator Sifuna Prevents Police from Firing on Protesters
In a tense moment during the anti-Finance Bill protests in Nairobi on Tuesday, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna intervened to prevent police officers from firing at demonstrators, positioning himself between the two groups in a bid to defuse escalating tensions.
Thousands of protesters had converged in Nairobi’s CBD to voice their opposition against the Finance Bill 2024, which had earlier been passed by MPs amid widespread public outcry. As clashes erupted between protesters and police near Parliament Buildings, Sifuna courageously stepped forward to advocate for restraint and peaceful resolution.
The demonstrations had turned chaotic earlier in the day as protesters breached security barriers and gained access to Parliament Buildings. Reports indicated that protesters had also set ablaze a police vehicle outside the legislative complex, adding to the intensity of the confrontations between law enforcement and demonstrators.
Prior to the protests, Members of Parliament voted 195 to 106 in favor of passing the Finance Bill, 2024, a move that opponents argue will impose significant tax burdens on ordinary Kenyans. The bill’s passage now paves the way for President William Ruto to potentially sign it into law, despite vehement objections and protests from various sectors of society.
Security forces had been deployed around Parliament Buildings to prevent protesters from entering the premises, but their efforts were ultimately overwhelmed as the situation escalated throughout the day. Reports emerged of several protesters being injured by police gunfire outside Parliament, underscoring the volatile nature of the demonstrations.
The intervention by Senator Sifuna, captured in images and videos circulating online, highlighted a critical moment of leadership and advocacy amid the turmoil.
