Youths from Uasin Gishu county, President William Ruto’s hometown, joined nationwide demonstrations against the Finance Bill 2024 on Thursday morning, demanding its rejection in what echoed the fervor of past political victories.
The “Occupy Eldoret” protests garnered enthusiastic support from locals, reminiscent of celebrations following Ruto’s 2022 electoral win and inauguration.
Demonstrators, primarily from the Gen Z and some millennials, organized into several groups, waving placards and chanting anti-Finance Bill and anti-government slogans.
They peacefully converged at key points in Eldoret, including Zion Mall and Rift Valley Technical Training Institute, disrupting traffic along the main Eldoret-Uganda highway but maintaining order with police cooperation.
Despite a heavy police presence, the protests remained peaceful, with officers guiding demonstrators and ensuring traffic flow along designated lanes.
Protestors expressed strong messages, urging elected officials to heed their voices during the impending parliamentary vote and promising continued engagement leading up to the next elections in 2027.
The demonstrations underscored widespread public discontent with the Finance Bill’s proposals, marking a significant civic engagement in Eldoret and beyond amidst ongoing national debates over fiscal policies and public welfare.
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