Security has been enhanced around Parliament in the Nairobi Central Business District(CBD) ahead of the Finance Bill 2024 debate set to be tabled in the afternoon.
This came shortly after Nairobi Regional Commander Admason Bungei dismissed any plans to hold protests, even though the organizers said they had informed the police of their plans as required.
Bungei said nobody applied for a gathering or picketing permit as expected and that they received a ‘faulty’ document dated June last year, which doesn’t meet the protest permission threshold.
“We will not allow them anywhere near there. Let them stay away.”
He added they have mobilized officers to ensure that any gathering is dispersed instantly in the CBD.
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Kenyans have organized the ‘Occupy Parliament’ protest, mobilizing on various social media platforms under the hashtag ‘Reject Finance Bill’ to pressure MPs to drop contentious provisions in the Bill.
This comes as activists led by Boniface Mwangi have already issued an elaborate plan for the protest dubbed 'Occupy Parliament' against the Finance Bill 2024.
On Monday, flyers were being distributed in the central business district urging citizens to “rise against over-taxation by Zakayo,” a reference to the moniker Kenyans gave President William Ruto over his tax push since he took office in 2022.
Activist Boniface Mwangi told journalists on Monday that the protest will start at 11 a.m., before Parliament’s session at 2 p.m.
Per the posters circulated on social media, protesters will be dressed in black, and a code of conduct has been issued calling for, among others, staying calm, as well as refraining from violence, abusive language, and destruction of property.
