Kenyan Protesters Burn Parliament Building in Finance Bill Demo

Kenyan protesters, mostly Gen Zs, managed to breach the barriers outside Parliament building in the capital Nairobi on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.

A section of the parliamentary complex was set on fire, the venue of the voting for the controversial Finance Bill laden with tax proposals Kenyans have vehemently opposed.

A police lorry was also burnt outside parliament buildings.

Several people were reported to have been shot outside Parliament as security battled protesters who breached the barricad in anti-Finance Bill protests.

Police also beat up protesters. “Why are you beating us?” some female protesters were heard crying out after police officers assaulted them outside Parliament buildings.

There were also some reports of some protesters being killed as police fired teargas and live bullets to either disperse the crowds or block them from breaching the barricade outside parliament buildings.

Meanwhile, MPs have passed the much controversial FY 2024-2025 Finance Bill. The bill passed with 195 MPs voting in its favour and 106 opposing it. Three votes – yes, cast by honorable MPs – were considered spoilt.

President William Ruto now has the responsibility of assenting to the bill. But his endorsement might come with implications to the survival of his government.