The #OccupyParliament protest in Mombasa County entered its second day as residents continued to demonstrate against the Finance Bill 2024 being deliberated in Parliament.
Armed with chants and placards, disgruntled Kenyans braved rainy weather to gather at three designated locations Pembe za Ndovu, Mwembe Tayari, and Makadara Grounds starting from 8:00 am.
They marched through the county’s streets, urging Members of Parliament to reject the contentious legislation.
The protest saw a deployment of police officers in Mombasa’s Central Business District, where clashes ensued as authorities used teargas to disperse the peaceful demonstrators.
This response mirrored similar confrontations in Nairobi’s CBD the previous day, where police actions during protests against the bill led to arrests and subsequent releases of several demonstrators.
Social media platforms highlighted posters announcing the continuation of #OccupyParliament protests on Thursday in various counties including Meru, Eldoret, Laikipia, Nakuru, and Nyeri.
The ongoing demonstrations aim to maintain pressure on legislators as they convene for the bill’s Second Reading on Wednesday, followed by a crucial vote scheduled for Thursday to determine its fate.
The Finance Bill 2024 has sparked widespread public outcry, with concerns centering on its potential economic impacts and perceived injustices.
As the debate intensifies within Parliament, the resilience of demonstrators across Kenya underscores their determination to influence legislative decisions affecting the nation’s fiscal policies and economic future.
