Professor Kithure Kindiki has warned “rioters” partaking in the #RejectFinanceBill2024 against several matters that he outlined in his brief presser this evening.
At about 5:20pm, Kindiki arrived for his much-publicised presser, starting with the disclaimer that he wouldn’t take any questions today, but would give a short brief and expand on it in a fortnight.
As is wont with all repressive government communications, Kindiki, a PhD holder in Law, first agreed that the citizens have a right to protest. But in a tough addition, he warned that their rights stopped where they infringed on other people’s rights.
“Article 24, 1(d), states that all other rights are limited by the need to ensure that the enjoyment of this right does not prejudice the rights of others. It follows therefore that those exercising the Article 37 right to assemble must not infringe on the rights of those that do not hold the same opinion.”
He went ahead to outline the steps the protesters must take to hold their processions.
In a stern expression, he asked them to remain peaceful and unarmed. He asked them not to breach public order, not intimidate and harass others, and must inform the police of their routes, and timing of the protests. Further, he urged them to stop their activities by sunset or at 6:30pm, “whichever is earlier. “
In the communication delivered at the doors of Harambee House, which houses the Office of the President, the minister in charge of the powerful docket of Internal Security warned Kenyans not to “obstruct, block, or vandalise any public or private property. “
He warned that they must follow police routes and not access protected areas and critical assets of the state.
“We have seen protestors who destroy public infrastructure in the name of exercising human rights. I dare you!” Kindiki roared.
“We will be extremely firm, fellow Kenyans. We will treat you as a criminal, and we will be very unapologetic!”
Kindiki’s presser comes on the heels of the President’s visit to Nyahururu, Laikipia County this Sunday where protestors blocked access to the church he had attended demanding the withdrawal of the finance bill, some calling on him to resign.
Many other protestors staged their demos in other churches across the country.
The politics
Prior to this, many politicians on the government side had seemed to praise the resilience of Gen Z in the fight against the bill.
The president while speaking at Nyahururu applauded the protestors he called “peaceful and tribeless,” and even promised to have a conversation with them about the bill.
His right-hand man Oscar Sudi had earlier said that he lauds the determination and zeal demonstrated by the youthful Gen-Z. “Going forward, the current leadership must incorporate their concerns in making major decisions. This is truly an awakening moment for our youth in their journey to self-realisation,” he stated.
Mudavadi Warns
But Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi could not sugarcoat his feelings as he spoke at Eldama Ravine in Baringo County. “Once we withdraw the finance bill, the opposition will now bring a vote of no confidence against this government. Do not laugh about it and think it’s a simple matter!”
Mudavadi, former Finance Minister and Vice president, and now the top government leader responsible for the coordination of the government business in Parliament warned.
The activists have planned protests until the bill is withdrawn.
Earlier, the finance bill contained tax suggestions that were repulsive to the activists, for example the 16% VAT on bread and the environmental levy on local manufacturing.
A UDA parliamentary group seating at statehouse agreed to expunge some of them from the bill.
However, activists refused the amended bill saying that taxes were removed from one item and accommodated in the other, thus not helping the economic situation.
The protests are now biweekly, with a surprise act in churches this past Sunday.
