As the third round of anti-Finance Bill 2024 rallies begins on Tuesday, a conflict between the public and security officials looms.
The projected epicenter of the youth-led protests, the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD), was found to have a significant police presence, as confirmed by a spot check.
Security personnel have been stationed on a number of city center streets, with public access to the regions leading to Parliament being restricted.
The protests, spearheaded by young people, started last week as a protest against the vile Bill that would impose high taxes on Kenyans.
In protest of the Finance Bill, the demonstrators have promised to completely shut down business today.
The government attempted to back down, but the demonstrators insisted that they wanted the Bill repealed in its entirety, not just amended. There have reportedly been two fatalities.
Amidst mounting tensions, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki clarified on Monday that the planned statewide protest can proceed as long as it remains peaceful.
He noted that as long as people follow the law, they are free to carry out their intentions to demonstrate.
Kindiki defied demonstrators to disrupt the peace, saying they “must not interfere with road, rail, sea, or air transport in any manner whatsoever.”
The latter, however, involves the kidnapping of people who are reportedly the most vocal about the protests, sparking outrage from the public as many Kenyans call for their immediate release.
During the protests last week, several youths were injured and two of them died.
