Running battles as protesters and police clash in Mombasa

Youths during anti-Finance Bill protests in Mombasa on June 19, 2024. [Omondi Onyango, Standard]

Hundreds of protestors braved rains and heavy police presence to stage protests in parts of Mombasa’s Central Business District (CBD) against the Finance Bill, 2024, whose debate kicked off on Wednesday in the National Assembly.

The youthful protestors first converged at the iconic Elephant Tusks along Moi Avenue and carried placards denouncing the government’s proposed taxes, saying it will overburden Kenyans.

They called for the withdrawal and overhaul of the Bill and maintained they will not relent in their quest to push against the government’s excess.

This happened as residents of other parts of the country including Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru and Voi ramped up mobilization for similar protests scheduled for today.

In Mombasa, however, it was chaos as police moved to disperse peaceful protestors.

“The so-called amendments to Finance Bill, 2024 are insufficient, we demand a total overhaul of the Bill,” said Samir Ali, one of the demonstrators.

However, as the crowds swelled under a canopy section to shelter from heavy rains, police arrived in two trucks ready to tackle the demonstrators. 

The cops engaged the protestors in running battles along Moi Avenue, Digo Road, and Nkuruma Road before they branched to Mwenye Aboud, near Central Police Station.

Along the Mwenye Aboud Road, a teargas canister accidentally landed at the gate of Coast Girls Secondary School, disrupting learning.

Central Police Chief Peter Mugambi engaged the protestors telling them the protests were illegal as he was not informed.

A heated argument ensued as the youthful demonstrators maintained that they must demonstrate, saying picketing was allowed by the Constitution.

The enraged youth slipped from the watchful eye of the police to start a dramatic match with police in tow as they went to the Central Police Station about a kilometre away to demand that they be allowed to continue with their demo.

Police had a hectic time running after the energetic and youthful demonstrations along Mombasa streets before they retreated.

Muslim for Human Rights (Muhuri) Rapid Response Officer Francis Auma said that it is now evident that the Kenyan youth is taking the front seat in agitating for a fair and just society.

‘’The youth are taking up their rightful place. There is nothing like the leaders of tomorrow. Enough is enough,” Auma said.