Several people, including activist Hanifa, have been arrested by police officers in the Nairobi CBD during the 'occupy parliament parliament' peaceful demos while protesting punitive tax increments in the 2024 finance bill.
Several X users shared images and videos of the activists being arrested before being bundled into police vans.
This is @Honeyfarsafi Hanifa being Harrassed and manhandled by Bungei and Statehouse sent Police Officer in Nairobi CBD over IMF Finance Bill. ANDREW kibe and UDA MPS are the Sellouts we wont forget #FreeHanifa #OccupyParliament #RejectFinanceBill2024 pic.twitter.com/ub18eNsHEy
— Pauline' Njoroge, HCS (@KenyanSays) June 18, 2024
This rally intends to pressure MPs to vote against the bill, which the House will discuss today.
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Kenyans have rallied online to support the protests, distributing banners and rules ahead of the demonstrations outside Parliament buildings in the central business area.
Mr Bungei wants to snatch Protestors phones inside Police Cells. To the Lawyers on My TL is it right? Statehouse and UDA MPs are scared because of what is happening in Nairobi CBD.#OccupyParliament #rejectfinancebill2024 #FreeHanifa pic.twitter.com/9RlW1Lr93Q
— Pauline' Njoroge, HCS (@KenyanSays) June 18, 2024
Fliers were distributed in the central business area over the weekend, calling locals to "rise against over-taxation by Zakayo," a reference to the nickname Kenyans gave President William Ruto for his tax campaign since he took office in 2022.