National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has dismissed the ‘Occupy Parliament’ protest against the 2024 Finance Bill as a movement of privileged urbanites in Nairobi.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) at Eldama Ravine in Baringo County, the Kikuyu Member of Parliament said young Nairobi protesters have little understanding of hardship as they do it in the comfort of the city’s amenities.
“The many you see protesting in Nairobi with iPhones, they call themselves GenZ, they come to the demonstrations in Uber, afterwards they go to KFC and eat chicken… they even drink bottled water,” he said.
The MP added that he was proud of leading a group of 204 legislators in voting to approve the contentious Finance Bill during the Second Reading.
Tourism CS Alfred Mutua Condemns Gen Z protests
Dr. Alfred Mutua, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife criticized protests against the Finance Bill 2024, citing the severe injury of a senior police officer.
“We have a police officer who has lost both of his arms, today he is disabled. That man is a son, a husband, and a father he has been disabled in the line of duty by demonstrators. To those young girls and boys demonstrating, how do you feel that that man is disabled?” questioned Mutua
“My beautiful young people who are being driven by propaganda, look at the facts, don’t get involved in activism and violence that leads to bloodshed. That officer who lost his hands, his blood is on you,” Mutua added.
According to results announced by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, the House voted 204 against 115 to send the bill to the Committee Stage.
