Calm in the city as shops remain closed, heavy police presence
By Hilary KimuyuThere was calmness in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) on Tuesday morning in anticipation of the wave of protests expected to enter its third week.
A spot check by Nairobi News showed that some areas in CBD had heavy police presence as most businesses remained closed with very few establishments operating.
There were also no traffic snarl-ups which is a norm, along major highways including Magadi, Lang’ata Road and Waiyaki Way leaving the deserted with few vehicles operating on the roads.
In some parts of the city, anti-riot police could be seen moving around in police vehicles with the majority placed around critical buildings among them the Parliament Building, the former Hilton Hotel and the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
A contingent of security officers continued to cordon roads leading to State House, forcing motorists to use alternative routes.
The roads affected include Dennis Pritt Road, State House Avenue, Processional Way, Valley Road, Jakaya Kikwete Road and adjacent feeder roads with police asking anyone who wants to access the roads to identify themselves.
The protests have been planned despite President William Ruto conceding to pressure by the Gen Zs to withdraw the Finance Bill 2024.
At least 39 people have lost their lives in anti-proposed tax protests in the country according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) with at least 361 other people injured in clashes between police and protesters that turned chaotic last Thursday.
Ruto on Wednesday formally wrote to Parliament proposing to delete the Finance Bill 2024, with the withdrawal citing widespread protests against the bill.
“In exercise of the powers conferred to me by Article 115(1)(b) of the Constitution, and having reservations on the content of the Bill in its entirety, I decline to assent to the Finance Bill, 2024, and refer the bill for reconsideration by the National Assembly with the recommendation for deletion of the clauses thereof,” the memorandum reads.
This means the bill stands withdrawn and the decision can only be overturned by two-thirds of the 349 MPs (233).
The president on Sunday also promised to reduce his salary and that of state officials, remove the offices of the First Lady, Second Lady, and Spouse of the Prime Cabinet Secretary from being funded by taxpayers, and assess the performance of his cabinet.