During the “Occupy Parliament” protests in Nairobi’s Central Business District, popular activists Hanifa Adan and Njeri wa Migwi were among several prominent figures arrested.
Citizen Digital shared a video showing Hanifa Adan, a well-known environmentalist, being escorted to a waiting police van. Before getting into the van, Adan engaged in a brief argument with a police officer.
The protests aimed to pressure lawmakers to reject the controversial Finance Bill 2024, which many Kenyans oppose due to its proposed tax measures.
Despite the government’s concessions to remove several contentious tax proposals, including the 16% VAT on bread and financial services, the protests highlighted the widespread dissatisfaction with the remaining aspects of the bill.
The demonstrations resulted in clashes between protesters and police, who deployed tear gas and made several arrests to disperse the crowds.
‘Usikimye’ founder Njeri wa Migwi was also arrested alongside several other protesters as police continued to patrol the streets, rounding up anyone participating in the protests.
Despite the ban imposed by Nairobi Region Police Commander Adamson Bungei on the “Occupy Parliament” protests, Kenyans gathered across Nairobi’s Central Business District to demonstrate against the controversial Finance Bill 2024.
The protests, marked by chants of “Ruto must go! Reject that bill!” led to the arrests of prominent activists, including Hanifa Adan, Njeri wa Migwi, and popular social media personality and ‘Chipo Mwitu’ vendor Beverlyn Kwamboka.
Njeri wa Migwi took to her X (formerly Twitter) account to share her arrest, posting a video of her and other protesters chanting fervently.
Despite police warnings and a statement from Bungei asserting that no permits had been issued for the protests, demonstrators converged at key locations such as Nation Centre and Kenya Archives. Police, in response, heightened patrols to disperse gatherings and prevent business disruptions in the CBD.
Citizen Digital reported that police chief Bungei confirmed the mobilization of officers to ensure no unauthorized gatherings took place.
He emphasized that the protests were illegal due to the lack of proper documentation and permissions from the organizers.
In response to the arrests, activist Boniface Mwangi provided support for the detained protesters. He shared a contact number for those arrested to report their status and an MPESA Paybill Number, encouraging Kenyans to donate funds to secure cash bail for those detained during the protests.
Videos circulated online showing dozens of Kenyans marching through the streets, chanting, singing, and making loud anti-Finance Bill statements.
