Former Nominated Member of Parliament and former Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Wilson Sossion has defended the government against accusations that it hired goons to disrupt peaceful protests against the Finance Bill 2024. These allegations emerged following the burning of the Parliament building during the demonstrations.
In an interview, Sossion emphasized that the government would have no motive to damage such a crucial national structure. “The government would have no ill intent to burn a critical structure of the republic such as Parliament and they cannot sponsor goons to disfigure it,” Sossion stated. He suggested that “other interests” exploited the protests, deploying goons to cause the destruction observed.
The Finance Bill 2024 has been a subject of intense debate and opposition, leading to widespread protests across the country. The bill, perceived by many as punitive, has galvanized various groups, including political leaders and the general public, resulting in significant unrest.
Sossion’s comments come amid a charged political atmosphere, where accusations and counter-accusations have become commonplace. His defense of the government seeks to shift the blame away from state actors and towards unspecified external interests that may have had a vested interest in escalating the situation.
The former MP’s remarks also align with broader narratives from government officials who have been trying to distance themselves from the violence that has marred the anti-Finance Bill protests. This stance underscores the complexity of the current political dynamics, where identifying the true perpetrators behind such acts of violence is challenging.
As the debate over the Finance Bill 2024 continues, the focus on who is responsible for the unrest and damage, such as the burning of Parliament, remains a critical issue. Sossion’s statements highlight the ongoing efforts to navigate these allegations and maintain a semblance of order and accountability within the political discourse.
Wilson Sossion: Gov Did Not Hire Goons, Other Interests Sponsored Them To Burn Parliament