In the wake of anti-tax protests yesterday, MPs especially those who voted in support of the Finance Bill bore the biggest brunt as their homes and property were raided and vandalized.
The National Government Constituency Development Fund (NGCDF) offices were also razed down as protestors who are majorly youth, protested the passage of the bill which was voted by 196 MPs against 105 even as 3 votes became spoilt.
As the MPs were scampering for safety at the Parliament buildings, protestors in Kikuyu Constituency were razing down the offices belonging to the National Assembly leader Kimani Ichungwa while protesting his defense of the bill that now awaits President William Ruto’s assent tomorrow.
At the home of Molo MP Kimani Kuria who is also the National Assembly chairperson for the Finance and Planning and who was instrumental in the Finance Bill, members of public said that they could see a billowing fire emanating from his compound, as one of his close allies confided.
“It is true protestors stormed the MP’s house and burnt one of the structures, looted properties of unknown value, destroyed some vehicles and there are cases of injuries reported, one of the protestors was shot by the police,” the MP’s ally who requested anonymity said.
The ally added that the protestors were not from Molo Constituency but outsiders who they believed had been hired from outside the Constituency to wreak havoc in the MP’s to create a narrative that the locals were unhappy with the MP over the Finance Bill 20204.
Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi’s modern club which was launched recently, was vandalized by the Anti-Finance Bill protesters while throwing stones to the club which is being identified as Timba XO while others took away the expensive beer while chanting Ruto must go slogans.
The storming of the club comes a few days before the residents faulted the MP for putting the entertainment joint near a school accusing him of allegedly violating the law.
Irate protestors also visited other NGCDF offices chanting freedom songs and anti Ruto songs.
As this happened, MPs who ran for their dear lives were in their hideouts as late as 6:30pm with those who talked to The Standard saying they were in an undisclosed location fearing for their lives.
“We are all in one area but we can’t disclose as there are f4ears that the angry protestors are baying for our blood, it doesn’t matter who votes yes and no, we are in the same place,” an MP who did not want to be named told The Standard on phone.
Opposition leaders blamed the President and the ‘ignorant MPs’ for yesterday’s mess claiming it was the government that provoked the youth.
“The Ruto regime has orchestrated unprovoked mass shootings resulting in multiple deaths and injuries turning otherwise peaceful protests chaotic in order to justify declaring a state of emergency and violating civil liberties. even in war ambulances and especially those of the Red Cross are allowed safe passage,” he wrote in her X platform.
On his part Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni said the President’s claims such as ‘we defeated the system and the Deep State’ and actions such as luring the Opposition with the African Union Commission seat and the National Dialogue Committee Report (Nadco) provoked residents to feel exposed and defend themselves.
“This is what happens when you don’t allow institutions to do their work, the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula defrauded the Opposition by stealing our numbers and declaring the Kenya Kwanza as the majority party, it is no longer about Finance Bill, it is about governance style,” he said.
However, the President’s daughter Charlene Ruto urged the youth to air their grievances in a respectable manner even as he defended her father claiming he means well for the country.
“I stand at a very unique position regarding the issues facing my country Kenya as we speak. As a president’s daughter, I have no doubt in my mind, watching my father rise in politics for over 30 years, seeing his work and passion behind the scenes, that he truthfully holds the best
interests of Kenyans at heart,” she wrote in her X platform.
She added “As a youth champion, I hear the cry of this generation and give my kudos that we not only care about current affairs but have a stand and are willing to raise our concerns. This is a game changer. Let’s do it consistently, in an uninformed manner, with respect and honor. That is how we will be heard.END