By ERIC BONUKE, THEDISPATCH.DIGITAL
There is a heavy security presence in Nairobi as anxiety continues to grip the capital following threats by Gen Z protesters to march on State House to force out President William Ruto despite him conceding on Wednesday and declining to sign the Finance Bill 2024 into law.
Last night the protesters vowed to take nothing less than Ruto’s resignation alongside those of Rigathi Gacagua and MPs who supported the Bill in the House despite intense protests that culminated in the storming of Parliament, for the first time in history.
Roads leading to State House, Nairobi have been barricaded by security forces with motorists and pedestrians being turned away.
They include State House Road, Dennis Pritt Road and Jakaya Kikwete Road as well as adjoining routes.
Despite the High Court suspending the deployment of Kenya Defence Forces to assist the police in quelling the protests until the matter is heard today, soldiers have been positions at strategic positions, including at the Nyayo Stadium roundabout.
There is also a heavy police presence in the city centre.
The campaign had earlier evolved from “Occupy Parliament” and #RejectFinanceBill2024 to “OccupyStateHouse”.
On Wednesday, the president had called for a national dialogue on the contentious Bill as he announced a raft of austerity measures beginning with the presidency, including removal of the confidential vote, which allows him to spend billions of shillings annually without scrutiny.
He also reduced expenditures on travel, hospitality, purchase of motor vehicles and renovations within the presidency, adding similar measures will be extended to the rest of the executive as he called on Parliament, the Judiciary and counties to do the same.
However, activists are not convinced and plan to step up the pressure.
“Let’s not be foolish as we fight for a better Kenya,” activist Boniface Mwangi posted on Instagram but warned against any plan to invade State House.
At least 23 people were shot dead in Tuesday’s protests and dozens injured and any attempt to raid State House to oust Ruto will result in even more casualties.
Some protest supporters said their aims had been achieved and they would not demonstrate on Thursday.
“The enemy was the Finance Bill,” one said in a post on X. “The enemy is crushed. What more do you want?”
But some have pledged to press on, saying only Ruto’s resignation would satisfy them.
“Right now is not about just the Finance Bill but about #RutoMustGo,” one protester, Davis Tafari, told Reuters in a text message. “As political activists we have to make sure that Ruto and his MPs have resigned and fresh elections are held.”
He added: “We occupy State House for dignity and justice.”
There are reports of protests already underway in some parts of the country such as Migori.
-Addition reporting by Agencies