Security Forces Secure State House Entrances

The government has stationed large numbers of police officers on all the roads leading to the State House.

At Nyayo Stadium, a group of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel were patrolling the area with heavy equipment, with some of them leaving in the afternoon and heading back to Lang'ata Barracks. Police have set up checkpoints on State House Road, Mamlaka Road, the University Way roundabout, and Arboretum Road. People using these roads are being subjected to thorough searches. The roads leading to Parliament have also been blocked by the police using trucks and water cannons.

Kenya finds itself in the throes of social unrest as citizens vehemently oppose the government's proposed Finance Bill. This legislation, aiming to bolster national coffers through tax hikes, has ignited public outrage and triggered clashes between protestors and security forces. The roots of this unrest lie in May 2024, when the Kenyan Parliament unveiled the "2024 Finance Bill." The bill has been met with fierce resistance from a younger demographic. These tech-savvy activists have harnessed the power of social media with platforms like TikTok and Instagram becoming their weapons.

Initially, peaceful demonstrations erupted in Nairobi on June 18th with pprotesters demanding transparency and accountability from their leaders. However, the government's heavy-handed response characterized by widespread arrests only served to escalate tensions. Though Parliament attempted to quell the unrest by revising the bill on June 19th by removing certain contentious clauses, the overall tax increase remained. This concession failed to appease the public, and the situation deteriorated into nationwide clashes.

On June 25th the protestors stormed the Parliament buildings and the ensuing confrontation with police resulted in a tragic loss of life, with at least 22 fatalities and numerous injuries reported. With the bill seemingly on the verge of passage, President William Ruto on June 26th announced his refusal to sign the 2024 Finance Bill. He attributed this decision to a collective agreement with his party's MPs, effectively withdrawing the legislation. While some hailed this move as a victory, protestors remain resolute in their demands for accountability and systemic change.