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MPs to proceed on early recess after Tuesday's deadly protests, passage of Finance Bill

Members of the National Assembly during debate on the Finance Bill, 2024. (Photo: National Assembly)

By Maureen Kinyanjui | Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Amidst the ongoing turmoil in the country, Parliament has introduced a motion to advance and extend the upcoming recess, initially scheduled for July 12-24.

Following a day of deadly protests across the country and the adoption of the Finance Bill, 2024 with amendments, Members of the National Assembly will now proceed for an early recess.

The protests on Tuesday escalated into chaos when protestors stormed Parliament Buildings leading to several of them being shot dead outside the gates of the August House by security officers.

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Amidst the ongoing turmoil in the country, Parliament has introduced a motion to advance and extend the upcoming recess until July 23, 2024.

This move comes after the National Assembly controversially passed the Finance Bill, disregarding public opinion over the matter which led to a week-long process.

By going on recess, MPs appear to have neglected their constitutional responsibility to hold the government accountable.

Further, with the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) deployed without parliamentary approval, President Ruto and his administration currently wield unchecked power.

Police use water cannons on protesters as they tried to access Parliament Buildings on June 25, 2024. (Photo: Hafsa Hassan)

"This House further resolves to alter its calendar as adopted on February 14, 2024, and amended on June 25, 2024...to commence its short recess from today, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, upon adjournment of the Morning Sitting," reads the order paper.

The chaos left several sections of Parliament damaged, particularly in areas from which the protestors used to access the premises.

Many valuable items were vandalised including critical equipment used to facilitate sittings at the August House.

As a result of the events, access to Parliament buildings is now limited only to essential personnel and MPs, with increased security supervised by Kenya Defence Forces personnel.

Flames rise at the Parliament buildings on the day of a demonstration against Kenya's proposed Finance Bill 2024/2025 in Nairob, on June 25, 2024. (Photo: REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi)

President Ruto in his address to the nation on Tuesday evening issued a stern warning to those allegedly behind the chaos that erupted during the anti-Finance Bill protest.

He said that he will continue to lead a government that is fully committed to protecting the sovereignty of the country and protecting lives.

"The country shall treat every threat to the state as an existential danger to Kenya's security. The government will provide a swift, full and effective response to today's treasonous event," Ruto said.

“I assure the nation that the government has mobilised all resources at the nation’s disposal to ensure that a situation of this nature will not recur again, at whatever cost.”