On Saturday, a group of activists from ‘The Concerned Citizens Kenya’ and ‘Linda Jamii’ initiatives were dispersed and arrested while protesting against higher taxes and perceived executive impunity in Kenya.
The protestors had marched from Kaloleni social hall towards the Treasury and were heading to Parliament buildings when the police intervened, arresting several members of the group.
The activists aimed to launch the Mwananchi Bill in opposition to the Finance Bill 2024, which they argued imposes high taxes on Kenyans under the Kenya Kwanza administration. Among those arrested were Prof. Fred Ogola, the founder of Linda Jamii, and three others. Additionally, two motorcycles were impounded by the police.
Prof. Ogola, expressing his resolve, stated, “I am willing to go anywhere for the sake of this country. If this is how you treat people, take me even to hell today, I will go.”
He criticized the police action despite having formally notified them of the protest.
“I took my time, wrote a letter, gave the police, the Regional Officer said ‘received.’ Then you come and put pingu on my hand, what is a pingu? You can tie my hand but you can’t tie my head…you can’t tie my spirit,” Ogola said, reflecting the group’s determination to resist the high taxes and advocate for better governance.
