Amnesty calls for immediate release of all content creators arrested over Finance Bill demos

Amnesty International has called for the immediate release of content creators arrested in the wake of Thursday’s demonstrations against the Finance Bill 2024.

Several internet content creators were among the tens of protesters arrested during and after the largely peaceful demonstrations mobilised by youth to pressure the government to drop the controversial bill which proposes tax increases.

Among those arrested after Thursday’s demos are Billy Simani, best known by his online moniker Crazy Nairobian, whom police on Friday whisked away from his home in Mwihoko and held captive in an undisclosed location.

He was released late Saturday evening after pressure from Kenyans online.

Amnesty International in a statement issued together with several human rights associations of content creators, lawyers, medical officers and human rights defenders on Saturday called for the immediate release of any other content creators currently under arrest.

“The Government of Kenya to issue a public undertaking that no content creators, or any Kenyan for that matter, will be arrested for expressing their opinion online or for supporting the current protests,” the human rights organisation said.

It further urged the government to guarantee the right to freedom of expression for all Kenyans, per the Constitution.

“We call on the independent state agencies to investigate these arrests independently and hold those responsible accountable,” Amnesty added.

The agencies include the Bloggers Association of Kenya, The Law Society of Kenya, the Kenya Medical Association, the Defenders Coalition and the Independent Medical Legal Union.

Over 50,000 Kenyans joined an X Space on Saturday calling for Simani’s release.

Kevin Wafula Bwire and Steven Kamau were among the protesters and content creators also released from police custody on Saturday.

Their arrest has sparked outrage over what is seen as a government crackdown on protestors opposing the unpopular Finance Bill and as a result reportedly forcing some activists into hiding.