Homa Bay Town Constituency Member of Parliament Peter Kaluma has announced that his children must join the ongoing anti-Finance Bill 2024 demonstrations, threatening a DNA test for any who fail to participate.
Kaluma’s declaration comes as part of the “Seven Days of Rage” protests, which are set to see youth across the country occupy the streets once again on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in opposition to the controversial Finance Bill.
Kaluma, a second-term MP under the Orange Democratic Movement, made his intentions clear in a post on his X account, where he stated,
“Any child of mine who will not go to the streets with other children of Kenya this Tuesday to protest over-taxation and corruption in government will face a DNA test! The children of Kenya MUST walk together to succeed where we failed.”
His comments underscore the urgency and intensity of the protests, which have been driven primarily by Kenya’s youth. The Finance Bill 2024, which is set for its second reading in the National Assembly on the same day as the protests, has been met with widespread opposition for its proposed tax hikes and perceived exacerbation of corruption.
The “Seven Days of Rage” plan has already seen significant participation from young Kenyans. Last Tuesday and Thursday, scores of youth took to the streets as the Finance Bill debate began. The demonstrations have since spread from Nairobi to other major cities and towns, including Mombasa, Kisii, Kisumu, Nakuru, Nyeri, and Nanyuki.
Despite the robust protests, the Finance Bill 2024 has seen significant parliamentary support, with 204 Members of Parliament voting in favor of the bill, while 105 voted against it. With the bill’s passage in the second reading, it now moves to the Committee of the Whole House for amendments, set to begin on Tuesday next week.
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