Occupy Parliament entered its second day as residents of Mombasa County took to the streets on Wednesday to protest the Finance Bill 2024 currently under discussion in Parliament.
Armed with chants and placards, disgruntled Kenyans marched through the county’s streets, urging Members of Parliament to reject the contentious bill.
Despite rainy weather, a group of Mombasa residents gathered from 8:00 am at three designated locations: Pembe za Ndovu, Mwembe Tayari, and Makadara Grounds. They walked through the streets, calling on legislators to listen to their demands.
A contingent of police officers deployed to Mombasa’s Central Business District clashed with protestors, using teargas to disperse the peaceful demonstrations.
Earlier on Tuesday, similar protests in Nairobi’s Central Business District saw Kenyans clash with police. Teargas was deployed and several protestors were arrested, though later released.
According to posters circulating online, #OccupyParliament protests will continue on Thursday in other counties including Meru, Eldoret, Laikipia, Nakuru, and Nyeri.
On Wednesday, Members of Parliament are scheduled to debate the bill during its Second Reading, with a vote expected on Thursday to determine whether the bill will be rejected or passed.
