President William Ruto’s close allies now face a bleak political future amid safety concerns as anti-tax protesters have turned against them with rage.
The irate demonstrators, primarily youth, stormed the homes, offices, and business premises of the MPs who voted for the controversial Finance Bill, 2024, on Tuesday. This move has pitted these MPs against their electorate, who have been agitating against the bill’s ‘punitive’ tax measures.
“Kenyans had faith in these leaders when they were elected. What is happening now is fragmentation in governance that will not be good for them,” Mt Kenya-based political analyst Andrew Maringa said.
The lawmakers found themselves in an even tougher political situation after the President made a U-turn and announced the withdrawal of the bill. Ruto sent the bill back to Parliament a day after the MPs passed it amid fierce protests in several towns around the country.
Previously, the legislators had been attacked—booed and jeered—at public forums, with some whisked away from crowds baying for their blood.
Those targeted include vocal National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa, Finance Committee Chairman Kuria Kimani, and MPs Oscar Sudi (Kapseret) and John Kiarie (Dagoretti South). Sources say some lawmakers have opted to avoid their constituencies for fear of being attacked.
Since the unprecedented attack on Parliament, the usually vocal MPs have remained tight-lipped, avoiding even their typically active social media platforms. The outrage from their constituents signals a political quagmire for these lawmakers, likely diminishing their political influence and jeopardizing their reelection bids and future ambitions.
On Tuesday, a mob stormed Kimani’s home in Molo, smashing windows, pulling down the perimeter wall, burning and destroying cars, and looting valuables. Some demonstrators even walked away with livestock.
The Molo MP, who chairs the Finance Committee that considered the bill amid protests, faced significant backlash. In Kikuyu, demonstrators torched the Constituency Development Fund office built by Ichung’wah and burnt cars parked in the compound. Ichung’wah, a close ally of Ruto and a key figure in Parliament, has strongly supported the bill and denounced the protests, arguing that the bill is for the good of the country and will help create jobs for the youth.
In Eldoret, the situation was similar, as protesters stormed, vandalized, and looted a nightclub associated with Sudi. Club Timba XO, located along the Eldoret-Nairobi Road, was officially opened a few weeks ago during a ceremony attended by Sudi and several other MPs. Sudi, Ruto’s self-proclaimed ‘political engineer,’ has been known for spending millions of shillings in fundraisers.
“What transpired on Tuesday, which followed an otherwise peaceful protest by Gen-Z, is unfortunate. The magnitude of the loss of lives, looting and property destruction that happened is appalling, and it negates the spirit of our constitution,” Sudi posted on X on Wednesday.
The protestors marched from Eldoret CBD to the club where they stormed and destroyed glass walls, windows and doors.
Police arrived as some of the protesters gained entry into the club and took off with several items.
The youth also set ablaze seven cars belonging to Uasin Gishu county, a court and a library.
In Nyeri, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s backyard, protesters marched into a supermarket belonging to Kieni MP Njoroge Wainaina.
The locals, apparently angered by the MP’s position on the bill, looted valuables, including food and electronics.
They burnt down the supermarket’s branches in Laikipia and Narumoru towns.
Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi’s business in Karatina was vandalised.
Senator John Kinyua’s office in Nanyuki town was burnt down by an angry crowd in Laikipia, which invaded the county assembly and vandalised offices.
In Naivasha, demonstrators burnt down Epco Hotel where the office of area MP Jayne Kihara is located.
An ablution block constructed by the Kirinyaga Central CDF funds at Jeevanjee Garden in Kerugoya was vandalised.
Protesters burnt down a billboard bearing Ndia MP George Kariuki’s image.
Demonstrators also left a trail of destruction at the offices of the Kenya Revenue Authority and National Hospital Insurance Fund in the late evening incident.
Last week, MP Kiarie was reportedly chased away from a burial in Dagoretti South for supporting the Finance Bill.
He had talked tough against the protesters, claiming that some of the photos they circulated on social media were doctored.
Amid fierce criticism, the MP swiftly apologised to the protesters terming his previous utterances uncalled for.
The same fate befell Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa when he sought to justify his decision to vote in favour of the bill.
