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Retired United States President Barack Obama’s sister Rita Auma Obama was teargassed as she joined anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests in Nairobi on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.

Auma joined the Nairobi residents who have intensified their protests against the controversial Bill.

“I am here because look at what is happening. Young Kenyans who are demonstrating for their rights are demonstrating. I cannot see anymore. They are being teargassed,” Auma said as she choked in tears while trying to give an interview to an international media network.

Auma, the daughter of Barack Obama Sr. and his first wife, Kezia Obama, is the older half-sister of Barack Obama. The 1960-born Kenyan-British is a community activist, sociologist, journalist, and author.

As the protestors converge in various parts of the country to voice their frustrations and opposition to the Finance Bill, they have clashed with the police, despite earlier assertions by the Interior Cabinet Secretary that they would ensure peaceful processions.

Meanwhile, the youth have been lauded for how they have conducted the protests and the magnitude seen. City lawyer Donald Kipkorir termed the protests peaceful and beautiful, despite the clashes witnessed between the youth and the law-enforcing agencies.

Kipkorir thrilled

“It is beautiful watching the youth of Kenya peacefully exercising their constitutional rights across the country, and more specifically in Nairobi, Nakuru, Mombasa, Nyeri, and my home city of Eldoret. Who knew I would be alive to witness my people of Eldoret fighting alongside the rest of the country?

“Even at the peak of demonstrations in Kenya in 1992, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2023, no political formation was able to pull huge demonstrations in every town in Kenya on the same day.

“Gen Z is having simultaneous demonstrations in Nairobi, Mombasa, Eldoret, Kisumu, Kakamega, Nyeri, Thika, Malindi, Kilifi, Ngong, Kitengela, Kisii et al. Only a madman will dismiss them. This youth has unleashed people’s power that Raila Odinga, Kenneth Matiba, Martin Shikuku, Charles Rubia, George Anyona, Kivutha Kibwana, Willy Mutunga, et al. never had. We are in the throes of true revolution,” Kipkorir commented on his X handle.

The protestors and the police are expected to clash more as the demonstration proceeds throughout the day.