Sonko Urges Ruto to Reconsider Signing the Controversial Finance Bill into Law

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has advised President William Ruto to reconsider signing the controversial Finance Bill 2024 which has attracted massive uproar among a section of Kenyans.

In a statement on his social media handle, Sonko urged President Ruto to return the bill to parliament, saying the views of Kenyans opposed to it should be listened to.

“If your heart is with the people of Kenya, Your Excellency send the Finance bill back to the sender,” Sonko urged.

Sonko, who deployed 7 ambulances with 21 professional medics to help injured protesters, said the demonstrations witnessed in the country attracted several groups of people including the children of the rich.

He added that many of them were permitted by their parents to take part in the demos.

“The sons of prominent people including my son in Kwale County, and Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit’s son, among others, joined the demos. This should tell you that it is not business as usual,” Sonko said.

Earlier, Sonko had advised the government to listen to the people before tabling the bill and to address the demolitions in Nairobi amicably.

He noted that the bill contained several statements that would not resonate with Kenyans.

Tuesday’s anti-finance bill demonstrations saw the country witness chaotic incidents.

A section of Kenyans stormed Parliament in a show of rage after MPs passed the Finance Bill, 2024.

Several people were shot with some reported to have died in the melee.

The protesters also burned a number of vehicles belonging to the Police as tension escalated outside the country’s legislature.

This is the first time in the history of Kenya that protesters have broken barriers and accessed inside Parliament despite heavy security.

Previously, police had managed to block protesters from gaining access to Parliament and always cordoned off the protection.

Opposition leaders had in the past held protests, but police succeeded in blocking them from accessing Parliament.

Parliament is a gazetted area, meaning that it is one of the most highly protected and guarded institutions after the State House.

The protected status gives security officers more mandate to do all they can to avoid any intrusion into the legislature.

MPs had voted 195 to 106 to pass the Finance Bill, 2024, paving the way for President William Ruto to assent it into law.

Earlier protesters had overpowered police and crossed over to Parliament Road, gaining access to Parliament Buildings.