Northern Kenya

Four protestors shot in anti-Finance Bill demos in Isiolo Town

Isiolo residents take part in the anti-Finance Bill protests on June 25, 2024. (Photo: Waweru Wairimu/EV)

By Waweru Wairimu | Tuesday, June 25, 2024

One of the victims was shot in the leg while the other was shot in the hand. Both were rushed to local health facilities in the town for further treatment.

The anti-Finance Bill demos in Isiolo County turned violent on Tuesday after four people were shot as police engaged protesters in running battles.

One of the victims was shot in the leg while the other was shot in the hand. Both were rushed to local health facilities in the town for further treatment. One of the victims shot was a Form Four student.

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Police officers have also camped outside one of the hospitals in Isiolo town.

The protesters kicked off the demonstrations at Moti Pearl and marched towards Isiolo stadium before returning to the town.

'We will make sure Ruto won't be elected in 2027!' Isiolo residents say as they join the nationwide #RejectFinanceBill2024 protests to oppose the Finance Bill, 2024
🎥: Waweru Wairimu pic.twitter.com/oUObIKfaTX
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) June 25, 2024

They later proceeded to Isiolo Woman Rep Mumina Bonaya's office adjacent to Isiolo Police Station.

Outside the office gate, they chanted "Mumina Must Go!" expressing their anger towards the MP for voting for the Bill during last week's Second Reading.

Protesters outside Isiolo Woman Rep Mumina Bonaya office on June 25, 2024. (Photo: Waweru Wairimu)

After about 15 minutes, they proceeded back to town, moved up past Baraza Park market and diverted to the left towards Isiolo Girls School before moving down via Transit hotel.

The protesters then converged at the starting point where they sang the national anthem while chanting anti-tax slogans and castigated MPs who voted for the Bill last week.

They later proceeded to the Isiolo-Moyale Highway where they lit tyres, a decision that was not embraced by the entire team but a section of the protesters.

Some tyres that had been placed next to a nearby police station were quickly thrown into the fire. All this while, police officers watched from a distance.

Police officers lobbed teargas canisters at the protesters after they stoned the County Police Commander's vehicle that was patrolling the town.

Billows of smoke could be seen in the town's skies as police officers pursued the demonstrators before further reinforcement was brought in.