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Kenyans lit up the internet with calls to elected leaders to reject the proposed finance bill even as National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah (pictured) emphasised that Tuesday June 18, 2024, was a day of tabling of the bill and not debating or voting.

As protests ensued on the streets, a sizable number of Kenyans took to social media where the calls for rejecting the entire finance bill intensified.

Under the hashtags #RejectFinanceBill 2024 and #OccupyParliament, the public shared heavily worded messages with photos and video clips of demonstrations witnessed in Nairobi CBD.

The online mobilisation started last weekend after a banner surfaced on the internet notifying Kenyans of the planned protests. “Citizens, rise against overtaxation by Zakayo! #REJECTFINANCEBILL Tuesday, June 18, 2024,” the red writings on the banner juxtaposed with a drawing of a fist read.

Widely circulated

The organisers who were not immediately identified asked those who intended to participate in the protests to dress in black, carry a placard, handkerchief and a bottle of water, and then assemble outside Parliament at 12 noon. “We shall gather to keep vigil as Members of Parliament vote at 2:30pm, IG Koome to provide police to protect us (protesters) as he respects Article 37 of the constitution on the right to protest and picket,” the banner which was widely circulated on the social media read in part.

Despite the Kenya Kwanza speedy move to assure Kenyans that contentious taxes in the finance bill had been scrapped in the documented to be tabled in the National Assembly, the banter pitting youthful Kenyans and the government did not die down.

Visuals shared on the hashtags depicted protestors engaging anti-riot police in a cat-and-mouse race within the upper streets of the city while calling for total rejection of the finance bill.

Others showed human activists participating in the mass protests resisting police arrest.

In the video clips, they chanted Ruto must go while flashing placards bearing anti-government sentiments.

At around noon, Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) wrote on its X account: “This regime’s display of force proves that power is in your hands. They are bringing guns, bullets, batons, teargas and water cannons because they fear you. Stand firm.

OccupyParliament and force your MPs to #RejectFinanceBill2024.

Renowned human activist Boniface Mwangi, twitted: “Help us repost if you are not on the ground. Atleast participate by reposting the revolution! Thank you. #RejectFinanceBill2024 #occupyparliament.”