All eyes are on Nairobi’s Central Business District as activists prepare for a significant protest dubbed ‘Occupy Parliament,’ set to take place on Tuesday, June 18, 2024.
Leading the charge is activist Boniface Mwangi, who announced that citizens from across Kenya would gather at various locations throughout the city before marching towards Parliament.
Key gathering points include Ambassadeur/Archives, Nation Centre, Supreme Court, Skate Park, Taifa Road, Kencom Stage, and City Hall Way.
Mwangi, a prominent figure in Kenya’s activism scene, encouraged participants to “come early to town, and just walk around, see what’s happening,” in a Facebook post. He emphasized the importance of a peaceful protest and laid out specific instructions for participants.
“Wear black, carry a whistle or vuvuzela, bring a placard with a message for your MP, and carry drinking water,” Mwangi advised. The protest is set to commence at 11 a.m., with Harambee Avenue designated as the main route for the march.
Mwangi has been in dialogue with the police, who have assured him that they will respect the protesters’ right to demonstrate and will be present to maintain peace and order.
“The police have promised to respect our right to protest and will be there to keep the peace and escort us,” Mwangi said, aiming to alleviate concerns about potential conflicts with law enforcement.
A multi-agency team held meetings on Monday to discuss strategies for managing the protest. They are particularly focused on preventing any attempts by demonstrators to block Members of Parliament from accessing the House. Anti-riot teams are expected to be deployed as a precautionary measure.
Guidelines for Participants
To ensure the demonstration remains peaceful, Mwangi has issued a series of guidelines for participants:
- Stay Calm: “Stay cool, especially when harassed. You are an ambassador of peace,” Mwangi stated, urging protesters to maintain composure.
- No Alcohol or Violence: “No alcohol or pre-drinking. No violence, no weapons, no destruction of property. The march to Parliament is a peaceful event,” he emphasized.
- Non-Aggressive Conduct: Protesters are advised not to use threatening or abusive language towards others.
- Watch for Provocateurs: “Beware of agent provocateurs who may be enlisted by politicians or their surrogates to incite people or cause a breach of peace. Alert the police if you notice suspicious behavior,” Mwangi added.
The proposed Finance Bill 2024, which is set for a vote on Thursday, June 20, has stirred significant public outcry.
The bill includes a range of new taxes and fiscal policies that many Kenyans feel will exacerbate the economic burden on the populace. Critics argue that the bill, if passed, will lead to increased costs of living and stifle economic growth.
The ‘Occupy Parliament’ protest aims to amplify these concerns and pressure lawmakers to reconsider the bill’s provisions.
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