Kenyans experienced a harrowing weekend marked by multiple abductions of anti-Finance Bill 2024 activists, following youth-led protests against the controversial legislation. From Friday through Sunday, a series of kidnappings and nighttime raids left the nation on edge.
The ordeal began around midday on Friday when a popular comedian was detained by police in front of Kenya’s parliament and taken to an undisclosed location. By evening, another activist, Billy Simoni, known for his vocal opposition on X (formerly Twitter), was seized from his home by unknown individuals and released the following day. These incidents and more are chronicled in a detailed dispatch from Nairobi filed by David Odero, a law student at Kisii University and special correspondent for JURIST.
The tension ramped up on Sunday with the abduction of a medical doctor who had organized a blood drive for individuals injured during Thursday’s demonstrations. Allegedly taken by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) dressed in civilian clothes, the doctor’s disappearance prompted the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) to issue an official statement. They threatened to go on strike if the doctor was not released, which apparently sped up his release within two hours.
The same evening, Shadrack Kiprono, another outspoken activist against the Finance Bill, was abducted as he was about to enter his car. His capture, caught on a CCTV camera, has left his whereabouts unknown. Later, another online protester was abducted at gunpoint by police officers.
Identifying a disturbing pattern, none of these victims were booked at any police stations, compromising the integrity of the criminal justice system. Many abductees were interrogated about the funding behind the ongoing demonstrations and forced to disclose their X account log-ins. The Law Society of Kenya has expressed support for the demonstrations, providing legal assistance to activists.
#RejectFinanceBill2024 has become a nationwide rallying cry, with even religious institutions vocalizing their dissent. Although the president has offered dialogues with the young advocates rejecting the Finance Bill, the movement, lacking a single leader, remains reluctant to engage with the presidency. The abductions have seemingly backfired, inciting greater solidarity rather than fear among the activists.
These developments highlight a troubling trend where the state’s actions are seen as combative towards its citizens rather than protective. For more detailed coverage, visit the original report on JURIST.