Mayhem in president's Rift Valley backyard

Protesters demonstrate against Finance Bill 2024, in Eldoret on June 25, 2024. [Peter Ochieng, Standard]

A court burnt down, vehicles razed, businesses closed, running battles and teargas rocked President William Ruto's hometown, Eldoret in Uasin Gishu County as protesters demonstrated against Finance Bill, 2024.

Thousands of protesters stormed major towns in the President's Rift Valley turf as businesses came to a standstill in Nakuru, Kericho, and Bomet, alongside several towns.

Riot police followed the protesters at close range to ensure that law and order was maintained.

The demonstrations were a big contrast to previous anti-government protests, which the region gave a wide berth as it was considered the political bedrock of Ruto's administration.

In Eldoret, the demos turned ugly as protesters engaged police in running battles and left behind a trail of destruction.

Unlike Thursday last week when the youthful protesters held peaceful demonstrations in the Eldoret Central Business District, Tuesday's action turned violent minutes after mid-day.

Police were forced to shoot in the air after thousands of protesters stormed Uasin Gishu County headquarters and burnt three vehicles near the town's public library.

The protests that started at 9 am degenerated into full-scale chaos after the youth hurled stones at the county headquarters before invading the precincts and lit tyres on Uganda road at the Zion Mall roundabout, compelling the police to disperse them.

During the invasion of Uasin Gishu headquarters, the rioting youth burnt a magistrate's court located within the precincts of the headquarters after overpowering the police. After the destruction, the protesters blocked routes to the county offices.

Several people injured during the protests were rushed by ambulances to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital Eldoret (MTRH).

Another group burnt tyres at the Oginga Odinga street roundabout where the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) wheelbarrow hustler symbol which was brought down last week as others made away with metallic parking signages, amidst the use of teargas.

Also, unlike last week, the protesters only marched with none of them willing to speak to the media, only displaying placards.

"Kama mkoloni alirudi ng'ambo, sembuse Sugoi? (If colonialists returned to their countries, what about a man from Sugoi?" one of the placards read.

Another one stated: "Zakayo shuka ama tupande, Mambo ni 2 (Zakayo, climb down Zakayo or we climb up, there are only two options)."

They also maintained their "Reject it, not amend" as well as Zakayo (President Ruto) shuka (climb down President Ruto) chants.

At around 2.30pm police officers appeared to have run out of teargas canisters and rubber bullets.

For the entire day, the Gen Z protesters marched along Eldoret streets, barricading the busy Uganda road and forcing motorists to use alternative roads.

A source at MTRH said about 23 people with gunshot injuries had been rushed to the hospital.