Police commanders on Monday June 17, 2024 held a meeting to plan how they will handle a planned protest outside Parliament in Nairobi over the Finance Bill, 2024.

This was after police were notified about the protest dubbed Occupy Parliament, that is planned for Tuesday June 18, when the Finance Bill is expected to be tabled in parliament.

After tabling and debating the Bill, MPs are expected to vote on Thursday, June 20.

Top police commanders have been meeting separately to discuss the way forward, to ensure protestors do not prevent MPs from entering parliament.

Some of the key security meetings have been taking place at police headquarters and Nairobi Area police command separately.

During the final meeting on Monday, top police commanders planned on how they can block some roads near Parliament.

Meanwhile, one of the organisers of the protests, Boniface Mwangi noted that they are planning a peaceful protest to pass a message to the legislators.

“We have marshals who will guide the group. Police should have called us to plan together on how we will conduct the business because this issue will also affect them,” said Mwangi.

At the same time, Nairobi police commander Adamson Bungei emphasized that police officers including anti-riot teams will be on standby to stop protestors from disrupting normal activities in the city.

“We are aware and are planning how to handle the situation,” he said.

Police meetings come at a time when disgruntled Kenyans are mobilizing themselves on social media under the hashtag ‘Reject Finance Bill’ to ensure they show up in their numbers to occupy Parliament on Tuesday.

“Citizens, rise against over taxation. Reject Finance Bill 2024,” reads a poster circulating on X.