By Jane Meza
Mombasa County: Mombasa became a battleground on Wednesday as hundreds of protestors rallied against Kenya’s controversial Finance Bill 2024.
The bill passed the second reading on Thursday at the National Assembly where 204 members supported the bill while 115 voted against it.
Despite the downpour, a robust social media campaign had successfully mobilized residents to take to the streets in large numbers.
Law enforcement was out in full force, with police deployed throughout the city and the central protest site at Mapembeni cordoned off.
Nevertheless, the demonstrators, undeterred by either the weather or the police presence, converged in the Central Business District (CBD). A huge crowd of protestors were seen matching and singing hoping their voices would be heard.
The protests, organized under the hashtag #OccupyMombasa, reflect a growing national discontent with the proposed Finance Bill which aims to increase taxes on essential goods and services, exacerbating the already high cost of living.
On Tuesday, similar protests in Nairobi with thousands of residents showed up on the streets led primarily by the youth, take to the streets under the hashtag #OccupyParliament.
While the government announced concessions on Tuesday, removing several contentious tax proposals from the bill, many citizens remain skeptical.
The protestors argue that the removal of the proposed 16% VAT on bread and other basic goods is merely a superficial gesture, failing to address the broader issue of rising taxes on essential services and commodities.
However, the protests in Mombasa turned tense when police used tear gas to disperse the crowds.
In a particularly troubling incident, a tear gas canister was reportedly lobbed near students from Coast Girls High School, causing panic between the students and teachers.
Mombasa area police boss Peter Mugambi described the protests as illegal, emphasizing the need for order and adherence to legal processes for public demonstrations However, without addressing the incident involving the students directly.
The Finance Bill 2024, which is currently under debate in Parliament, proposes significant tax hikes on mobile money transfers, banking transactions, and digital services. Although some of these taxes were removed earlier this week, the bill continues to be a point of contention.
The ongoing protests underscore a deep-seated frustration among Kenyans, who feel increasingly burdened by the rising cost of living and seek more comprehensive relief from their government.
