The international hacker group and activist collective, Anonymous, has issued a warning to Kenyan Members of Parliament regarding the passage of the Finance Bill 2024.
In a message shared on their official X account, the group stated that they are aware of the MPs’ intentions to pass a bill that will impose heavy taxes on the people of Kenya.
“It has come to our attention that there are discussions in parliament to pass the Finance Bill, which will unfairly tax the citizens of Kenya,” they said.
Anonymous highlighted that efforts by Kenyans to peacefully protest against the Finance Bill have been met with police harassment and arrests. The group warned that with some MPs’ phone numbers publicly available, their secrets might soon be exposed.
“Fortunately, several phone numbers belonging to members of parliament are circulating online. Soon, there will be an uprising of hackers, many of whom may reside in your home country.
“Your secrets may no longer be safe, and there is a chance that all these secrets will be exposed.”
They insisted that just like many Kenyans, they do not want the Finance Bill to be amended.
Instead, they want the MPs to reject it in totality.
Anonymous urged the legislators to listen to the cries of Kenyans.
“On Thursday, the 20th of June, Kenyans will march and #OccupyParliament. We do not want you to amend the Finance Bill; we want you to reject it. Listen to the cries of your citizens, or the people of the world will resist you every step of the way. Citizens of Kenya, do not worry, Tuko Pamoja,” the group said.
Anonymous issues a warning towards the Kenyan government to respect the rule of law and right to protest of #RejectFinanceBill2024 participants. pic.twitter.com/zvF3NlWBug
— Anonymous (@YourAnonCentral) June 19, 2024
Kenyan youths have been taking to the streets to protest against the Finance Bill, which they describe as punitive. The protests began on Tuesday in Nairobi and continued on Wednesday in Mombasa.
Today, another wave of the Occupy Parliament protests is planned for Nairobi, while Kisumu and Laikipia, among other locations, will also express their opposition to the Finance Bill, 2024.
Before the first protest on Tuesday, the ruling Kenya Kwanza party dropped some of the taxes that had sparked the protests, including the motor vehicle tax and the eco levy. However, a section of Kenyans has insisted that they want the entire Bill rejected.
