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| Babu Owino demands the release of detained protestors |
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and his Mumias East counterpart Peter Salasya made a nighttime visit to Nairobi Central Police Station to demand the release of detained protesters. Babu Owino at Nairobi Central Police Station where anti-finance bill protesters were detained. The demonstrators had been arrested during clashes with police while opposing the passing of the Finance Bill 2024. Babu Owino condemns arrest of peaceful demonstrators Babu Owino emphasised during their visit that the protesters had been unlawfully detained. He pointed out that their actions were driven by concerns over the rising cost of living and the new taxes proposed in the bill. “We are here to secure the unconditional release of over 200 Kenyans who were arrested because they were demonstrating against the high cost of living and the Finance Bill 2024. This is not the last time this is happening. It will repeat itself on Thursday, June 20 when the bill will be voted. We urge all Kenyans to come out in large numbers and fight this draconian Finance Bill,” he stated. Echoing Babu’s remarks, a detained protester reiterated that the demonstrations would persist until what they termed as oppressive taxes were repealed. “The power belongs to people and the enemy is the Finance Bill. We have been arrested but we will do it again until the primitive bill that has been forced on Kenyans’ throats is scrapped. I am pleading with our MPs to vote against it,” she said. Salasya calls for repeal of 2023/2024 Finance Bill Salasya emphasised that the protestors were exercising their constitutional rights peacefully, without any intent to cause harm. He called upon Kenya Kwanza MPs to outrightly reject the bill and suggested a revision of the 2023/2024 Finance Bill, which he argued is placing an undue burden on Kenyans. Lawyers offer support to detained demonstrators City advocate Soyinka Lempaa, accompanied by 10 other lawyers, stationed themselves at Central Police Station, pledging pro bono legal assistance to protesters detained for participating in anti-Finance Bill demonstrations. Speaking exclusively to TUKO.co.ke, Lempaa verified that police were holding several individuals in custody on charges of unlawful assembly. “We have been trying to secure their liberty according to Article 39 of the Constitution. We shall be here until we are given the last words because they are only supposed to be held for 24 hours or released and we are ready for both,” Lempaa said. According to Lempaa, the protesters will be charged with taking part in unlawful assembly. “They will be charged for taking part in unlawful assembly. We have never lost these cases before any magistrate. We have spoken to the Central Officer Commanding Station (OCS)who has told us that he will decide whether to grant them cash bail or have them prosecuted tomorrow,” said Lempaa.
by Zipporah Weru Nancy Odindo
