#RejectFinanceBill2024 - Nomad Press

29 Jun

Senator Olekina Warns Leaders of Looming Doom

admin0 CommentsNews#RejectFinanceBill2024, Ledama Olekina

In a passionate address to leaders, Senator Ledama Olekina issues a stark call for integrity and accountability among the nation's leaders, condemning the pervasive corruption and external influences that have marred the governance of the country. Speaking directly to fellow Senators, MPs, the Judiciary and the Executive, Olekina emphasized the need for ethical leadership and genuine service to the people of Kenya. "Tonight, I want to speak to my colleagues—the Honorable Members of Parliament, distinguished senators, and the leadership of the Judiciary and the Executive," the Olekina began. "God has been very fair to us, giving us the opportunity to…

29 Jun

Embu Governor Mbarire Tours Fire-Damaged County Headquarters

admin0 CommentsNews#RejectFinanceBill2024, Cecily Mbarire, Embu County

Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire on Friday toured the County Headquarters office block that was set ablaze during anti-finance bill protests earlier this week. The destructive protests also targeted two other government offices, including United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), and resulted in over ten private and county vehicles being torched. Governor Mbarire described the destruction as an act of arson, claiming it was well-planned and executed by hired goons who infiltrated the initially peaceful protest led by Gen Zs. She accused local political adversaries of orchestrating the attacks to undermine her administration. The governor alleged that the…

28 Jun

President Ruto Signs Appropriations Bill 2024; Orders Kshs 346 Billion Budget Cut

admin0 CommentsNews#RejectFinanceBill2024, William Ruto

President William Ruto has assented to the Appropriations Bill 2024 and directed the National Treasury to promptly prepare supplementary estimates to reduce expenditure by the amount of revenue expected from the rejected Finance Bill 2024. This reduction in expenditure, amounting to Kshs 346 billion, will be borne equitably by both levels of government: the National and County Governments. The budget cuts will impact the National Government, with the reduction spread across the executive, legislature, judiciary, and constitutional commissions. Articles 221 and 222 of the Constitution mandate that the Appropriations Bill be signed by June 30 each year to ensure the…

28 Jun

President Ruto Meets Catholic Bishops After Protests Rejecting Proposed Tax Hike

admin0 CommentsNews#RejectFinanceBill2024, Catholic, William Ruto

President William Ruto held a meeting with Catholic Bishops at State House, Nairobi, in a significant step towards addressing the widespread protests against the proposed tax increase, known as #RejectFinanceBill2024. The delegation was led by Archbishop Maurice Muhatia, Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops. The meeting comes after days of demonstrations across Kenya, with citizens voicing their opposition to the proposed tax hikes outlined in the Finance Bill 2024. “We welcome the commitment by the Catholic Church to participate in a multi-sectoral engagement that seeks solutions to the issues facing our country. Through this collective approach, we will…

27 Jun

Secretary Blinken Commends Kenyan President Ruto for Efforts to Reduce Tensions

admin0 CommentsNews#RejectFinanceBill2024, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, William Ruto

U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken held a significant conversation today with Kenyan President William Ruto. In this dialogue, Secretary Blinken expressed his gratitude towards President Ruto for his proactive measures aimed at reducing tensions within the nation and his commitment to engage in dialogue with protestors and civil society groups. Secretary Blinken emphasized the critical role of security forces in maintaining order without resorting to violence. He urged for restraint and highlighted the necessity for prompt and thorough investigations into any allegations of human rights abuses that may arise. Furthermore, Secretary Blinken welcomed President Ruto’s dedication to upholding…

26 Jun

Ruto Withdraws Finance Bill After Deadly Protests

admin0 CommentsNews#RejectFinanceBill2024, William Ruto

President William Ruto has responded to the calls of Kenyans by withdrawing the Finance Bill 2024, stating that it will be shelved to allow for dialogue and a collective approach to financing the current budget. This historic step, the first of its kind since independence, implies that the Sh 3.9 trillion budget will be managed using the current Finance Act, along with external and internal borrowing to address the budget deficit. The Finance Bill 2024, passed by MPs on Tuesday, has sparked widespread outrage, particularly among Kenya’s youth, who feel disproportionately burdened by the proposed tax increases. Protests have erupted…

26 Jun

Kenya’s Parliament Approves Deployment Army to Contain Widespread Protests

admin0 CommentsNews#RejectFinanceBill2024, Army, National Assembly

Kenya’s National Assembly has approved the deployment of the army following the failure of police forces to contain the escalating #RejectFinanceBill2024 protests in Nairobi and other parts of the country. While parliamentary proceedings are traditionally televised and streamed on the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation's TV, this was not. Earlier today, it was reported that Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah was set to move the motion for military deployment. Analysts suggest that the parliamentary approval was primarily a formality to legitimize the directive issued by Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale the previous day. In a Kenya Gazette notice, Duale stated, “Under Article 241…

26 Jun

Gatundu Residents Storm MP Kagombe’s Office Carrying a Coffin

admin0 CommentsNews#RejectFinanceBill2024, Gabriel Kagombe, Gatundu South

Angry residents of Gatundu South, Kiambu County, stormed their MP's Constituency Development Fund (CDF) office, carrying a white coffin and a cross. They accused the MP Gabriel Kagombe of voting in favor of the controversial Finance Bill 2024. Waving placards and singing burial songs, the irate youths laid flowers at the entrance of the office before being dispersed by police. They also lit bonfires on the road and demonstrated in the town streets, chanting anti-Kagombe-Ruto slogans. Led by Sospeter Ngururi and Mario Nderi, the youths questioned why their representative voted "yes" to the bill, arguing that he should have been…

26 Jun

Uhuru Kenyatta’s Speech on #RejectFinanceBill

admin0 CommentsNews#RejectFinanceBill2024, Finance Bill 2024, Uhuru Kenyatta

My fellow Kenyans, I come to you with a heavy heart. Saddened by the loss of lives occasioned by the current situation prevailing in our country. It is the right of every Kenyan to protest as determined by the constitution we all promulgated in 2010. It is also the duty of leaders to listen to those they lead. At this trying time for our Country, I want to remind all leaders that they were elected by the people. Listening to the people is not a choice but a mandate enshrined in the principles of our constitution and in the very…

26 Jun

President Ruto’s Speech on #RejectFinanceBill

admin0 CommentsNews#RejectFinanceBill2024, William Ruto

1. Today, Kenya experienced an unprecedented attack on itsdemocracy, rule of law and the integrity of its constitutional institutions. 2. An otherwise legitimate expression of the fundamental rights and freedom of assembly, demonstration, picketing and petitioning of public authorities, by a section of law-abiding citizens of the Republic of Kenya, was infiltrated and hijacked by a group of organized criminals. 3. Most regrettably, today’s attack on Kenya’s constitutional order has resulted in the loss of life, destruction of property and desecration of the institutions and emblems of our sovereignty. 4. Today’s events mark a critical turning point in how we…