NAIROBI, Kenya- Streets of Nairobi became a battlefield on Tuesday, as Kenyan police used force to disperse peaceful protestors, primarily composed of youthful men and women, demonstrating against the controversial Financial Bill 2024.
The sight of anti-riot police officers lobbing teargas at small, organized crowds has sparked outrage and condemnation from various quarters, including the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), which has threatened legal action against the police.
The protestors, who had mobilized through social media platforms like TikTok, X, and Instagram, gathered early in the morning with a unified message: reject the Financial Bill 2024.
Their chants echoed through the city, demanding transparency and accountability from the Members of Parliament- some of whom were in State House with President William Ruto.
The Kenya Kwanza Parliamentary Group saw changes made to the Financial Bill, removing some of the contentious clauses.
Despite their passionate pleas, the protestors maintained a peaceful and organized demeanor.
However, the police response was anything but measured.
As the crowd swelled, officers began to arbitrarily arrest dozens of protestors, treating them not as citizens exercising their democratic rights but as criminals.
The indiscriminate use of teargas against any small crowd further fueled the tension, creating scenes of chaos and fear.
One protestor, a 22-year-old university student named Amina, described her harrowing experience.
“We were chanting and holding our placards when suddenly, without any warning, the police started throwing teargas canisters at us. People were running, coughing, crying. It was like a nightmare,” she recounted with tears in her eyes.
“We were there to make our voices heard, not to be treated like this.”
The excessive force used by the police has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations and civil society groups.
The Law Society of Kenya, in particular, has taken a strong stance against the police actions.
“We wish to sound our unequivocal warning to Mr. Bungei (Nairobi Police Boss) and all officers acting under his command from taking any act of aggression against the protestors in the name of giving effect to this unlawful, unreasonable, and irrational directive<’ LSK President Faith Odhiambo said in a statement.
“We note that the form for a Notification as provided under the Schedule to the Public Order Act merely requires provision of information pertaining to the particulars of the applicant, and the date, time and place of the protest.
Observers said the events of Tuesday’s highlight the growing disconnect between the Kenyan authorities and the younger generation, who are increasingly vocal about their demands for a better future.
The Financial Bill 2024, which has been widely criticized for its potential negative impact on the economy, has become a rallying point for the youth, who see it as a symbol of the government’s disregard for their concerns.
