On Thursday, June 27, 2024, demonstrators from various major towns across the country continued their anti-government protests despite President William Ruto’s decision not to sign the controversial bill into law on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.
In Nairobi, heavily armed Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers were seen maintaining vigilance from atop an armoured vehicle as the demonstrators proceeded with their planned protests.
Protesters expressed their distrust of Ruto, despite his move to return the finance bill to parliament and his promise to make budget cuts as an alternative to the proposed new taxes and fees on items such as egg imports and bank transfers.
Although on a smaller scale than Tuesday, June 25, 2024 protests, the chants were still the same ‘Ruto must go’.
Parliament breached
On Tuesday, June 25, 2024, chaos erupted as protesters breached parliament and caused massive destruction and vandalism within Parliament buildings.
Several protesters were shot in the fierce clash with the anti-riot police. Inside Parliament, chairs in the lounge area were turned upside-down, windows shattered, and walls destroyed.
More demonstrations were witnessed across the country including Nakuru, Mombasa, Nyeri, Kisumu, Kakamega, and Meru, among other regions.