The man who attempted to disrupt Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u’s photo session outside the Treasury building moments before he read the Budget caused a stir when he was arraigned in court.
In the midst of the session, Julius Kamau Kimani unexpectedly went off script, disregarding his lawyer’s instructions to adhere to court protocols by speaking only when appropriate.
He subsequently launched into a tirade, venting his deep-seated frustrations over what he described as the government’s neglect of the ordinary Kenyan through the introduction of numerous taxes.
“Poor people are suffering and nobody cares so I don’t know what the role of the government is. I think the government has failed our people and we have also failed ourselves. My concerns will not allow me to keep silent,” Kamau said.
“I don’t know whether this is going to come up anywhere but we must have this conversation. We cannot continue living in fear; I see a lot of fear in this country and a lot of fear in the courts.”
Kamau together with Erick Mankuyu Seyielel were charged with creating disturbance in a manner likely to cause breach of peace.
“On 13th day of June 2024 at Treasury Building along Harambee Avenue in Nairobi CBD within Nairobi County jointly with others not before court created disturbance in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace by yelling, shouting and attempting to disrupt the photo shooting session by the Cabinet Secretary National Treasury and Economic Planning and his delegates,” read the charge sheet.
Undeterred by attempts to silence him, Kamau referenced the Thursday shooting of a magistrate by a police officer as demonstrative of the deep-seated mistrust and fear prevailing in Kenya’s society.
“Just yesterday, we saw a magistrate who was shot by a police officer. I want to speak but you want me to remain silent when my heart is burning because of taxes. For 60 years we have been living like we are not human beings,” said Kamau.
“We are considered children of a lesser God by the ruling minority that does not care for the majority. We are victims of lies, failed promises and false hopes.”
The judge subsequently warned Kimani that he would be held in contempt of court but fearless, Kimani soldiered on.
“I don’t know whether you are going to sentence me; I’m ready to be sentenced for 100 years but I’ll keep speaking the truth until I leave this world. We cannot continue living like this; we must resist!” he said.
