Maandamano Day (Protest Day)

Naandamano Day (Protest Day) On June 25, 2024, demonstrations took place across the country against the Finance Bill 24. Here's a brief recap: In June 2024, widespread and violent demonstrations took place in Kenya, primarily against a controversial finance bill that proposed tax increases and was intended to increase the cost of living for poor and middle-class citizens. Hundreds of thousands of people, mostly young people, mobilized for the protests via social media. Clashes broke out with police, who used tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition. The protests reached their peak on June 25, 2024, when demonstrators stormed the parliament building in Nairobi. The police responded with live ammunition, resulting in at least six deaths on the parliament grounds and around 60 (some media outlets estimate 90-130) nationwide in June/July. The Kenyan National Human Rights Commission documented these deaths, and there were also numerous injuries and arrests. Although President William Ruto eventually withdrew the finance bill due to the protests, the unrest continued. There were calls for his resignation and demands for justice for those killed. The government faced heavy criticism for its violent crackdown on protesters. The Kenyan Supreme Court subsequently ordered an end to the use of live ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas, and water cannons against demonstrators. The protests reflected a deeper frustration with economic hardship, corruption, and governance problems in Kenya, particularly among young people. During the unrest, security was tightened around key government areas, and the events marked a significant political crisis for the Ruto government. In summary, June 2024 in Kenya was marked by large-scale anti-government protests triggered by planned tax increases, culminating in deadly clashes with police, a storming of parliament, and continued demands for political and economic reform. One sentence is important in this statement: 'The Kenyan Supreme Court subsequently ordered an end to the use of live ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas, and water cannons against protesters.' Why is this sentence so important? Yesterday was the anniversary of these clashes. I happened to be in the middle of them. To be clear, I had a hospital appointment. I had to take the bus. The bus was already stopped and told not to go any further. There was still nothing to be seen. The bus stopped, and I got off. It wasn't far, so I walked. There's a shopping mall, and before I reached it, a mob from the market across the street arrived. I couldn't get into the mall. The gates were closed behind me. The mob blocked the street, set fire to tires, and a kiosk across the street was looted. Tear gas was thrown, and that was the first tear gas grenade I received. The police drove up. The mob overran them. The mob moved on to the nearby police station. During this time, it was relatively quiet, but then the mob returned. They wanted to storm the mall. The police threw tear gas grenades, one of which exploded very close to me. (Video) Then chaos broke out. The mob had overcome the barrier, and everyone was trying to get to safety. Everyone was trying to escape from the mall, so they all ran to the back; there was a gate that was still open. I did too. Everyone ran through the gate; there was a field. There was nothing but grass and a few trees; the whole thing was surrounded by a high wall. So there was no escape. To the left was a large gate guarded by security. After some running back and forth trying to find an exit, many people gathered there. The mall was looted and there was shitting. I was told that one person was shot and another was wounded. It's unclear how many were killed; data is still being collected. But it's likely more than 22. Therefore, it's important to remember what the Supreme Court ordered. The live television broadcast was interrupted by government order. Reports continued on Facebook, X, and TikTok. Today, the Supreme Court confirmed that this action was illegal and that coverage must resume.