A coalition of activists has announced a series of coordinated protests under the banner “7 Days of Rage: For We Have Courage” in response to the Parliament’s approval of the controversial Finance Bill 2024.
Scheduled from June 21 to June 27, the protests aim to highlight the widespread discontent among Kenyans over the bill, which critics argue imposes undue financial burdens on the populace.
The protests kicked off on Friday with a call for demonstrators to gather at City Mortuary and attend Juma prayers at Jamia Mosque, where they provided water to participants as a gesture of support and solidarity.
In an unprecedented move, activists urged bars and clubs popular with Generation Z to silence their music at midnight, creating a symbolic moment of resistance against President William Ruto and the Finance Bill.
This act aimed to engage the younger generation and underscore their critical role in the protest movement.
Protesters have also been encouraged to take direct action against MPs who voted in favor of the bill by deplatforming them in their local churches, thereby preventing them from speaking and signaling the community’s disapproval.
In a further act of defiance, activists plan to visit these MPs’ offices to express their disapproval and call for boycotts of their businesses, effectively ostracizing them socially and economically.
Mondays, typically reserved for MPs to meet with their constituents, will see protesters collecting signatures to initiate recalls of those who supported the bill.
A national strike, dubbed #OccupyParliament, has been planned, with activists urging continued demonstrations across various counties.
This coincides with the bill’s committee stage in the legislative process, where amendments will be proposed and votes cast on individual clauses before the final vote.
The protesters have also dedicated a day to seeking justice for Rex Masai, a demonstrator allegedly killed by police.
They plan to march to the offices of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority and the Inspector General of Police, demanding accountability and justice.
The culmination of the protests will involve blocking major roads leading to Nairobi and marching to State House to demand a meeting with President Ruto.
The protests have sparked significant attention on social media, with a poster circulating that underscores the gravity of the situation. It highlights the violent police actions that have met peaceful protests, resulting in deaths and injuries among demonstrators.
