Police Block Roads Leading to State House Ahead of Expected Protests
Anti-riot police on Sunday blocked roads near and around State House in Nairobi for the third consecutive day following anti-Finance Bill protests. The police turned away some motorists and pedestrians using the roads.
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This action was taken in response to fears that protesters might attempt to march to State House on Sunday. Police said they had intelligence suggesting that some groups might try to march to State House, prompting the deployment.
Simultaneously, a group gathered at Jevanjee Gardens in Nairobi to honor those killed in the protests. Human rights activists report that up to 23 people have been killed in the protests, with many more missing after alleged abductions.
Police were first deployed to roads near State House on Thursday when protesters planned to march in Nairobi and other urban areas to denounce the move by Parliament to pass the Finance Bill 2024. Other roads around the city center were also blocked by police on Sunday.
President William Ruto declined to sign the bill and asked Members of Parliament to delete all clauses therein. The roads affected included Dennis Pritt Road, State House Avenue, Processional Way, Valley Road, Jakaya Kikwete Road, and adjacent feeder roads.
The police asked motorists and pedestrians to identify themselves, their destinations, and their reasons for being there. Protesters said they planned a march to the city center to mourn those killed in past protests.
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Major businesses remained closed in the city, with few motorists. Police assured those who opened their businesses of their safety. Reports indicate that more anti-riot police were deployed to major towns across the country ahead of the protests, and more barricades were erected on roads near state lodges.
At least 23 people were killed on Tuesday and Thursday during protests against the proposed taxes. The military was permitted to be deployed on the streets to support police operations.
On Wednesday, President Ruto formally wrote to Parliament proposing to delete the Finance Bill 2024. In the memorandum, drawn shortly after he announced the withdrawal, Ruto cited widespread protests against the bill.
“In exercise of the powers conferred to me by Article 115(1)(b) of the Constitution, and having reservations on the content of the Bill in its entirety, I decline to assent to the Finance Bill, 2024, and refer the bill for reconsideration by the National Assembly with the recommendation for deletion of the clauses thereof,” the memorandum reads.
This means the bill stands withdrawn, and the decision can only be overturned by two-thirds of the 349 MPs (233). The move came after Ruto met with a group of MPs at State House following protests against the proposed taxes.
“I send condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones in this unfortunate manner. Consequently, having reflected on the continuing conversation around the content of the finance bill of 2024, I will decline to assent to the bill,” he said.
Kenyans continued to mobilize online, with divided opinions on the planned protests in the coming week.
