Raila: 'Proud Father' as protesters rally against Finance Bill 2024

The ODM leader, who has previously participated in numerous fiery protests, reshared a video of a young Kenyan protester who claimed to be representing Raila during the protests. 

I’m a very proud father today!" Raila captioned a video on X. 

"Hongera sana to the young lady and all those who bravely stood up for their rights!"

In the video, which had been reshared thousands of times by Tuesday evening, the female protester praised the former Prime Minister for his role in advocating for Kenyan rights. 

"Agwambo, this is a message for you," a TikToker known only as @doitlikeanini said in the video. 

"Usitokee, we saw what you did for Kenya; stay at home, and let us... tunatoka on your behalf."

Meanwhile, the Azimio coalition praised Kenyans following the Tuesday protests, saying in a media statement that citizens' power had put pressure on members of parliament and arrogant government officials, resulting in the current ‘climbdown’.

The coalition also pointed out what they described as the current administration's'mind games,' implying that some of the proposals dropped in response to public outrage appear to have been included on purpose to incite anger. 

"The changes to the Bill announced today give the impression that the government is playing mind games with citizens," Azimio said in a statement issued by Minority Party Leader Opiyo Wandayi on Tuesday. 

"They create the feeling that some of the proposals now dropped were included in the initial bill just to create outrage and give the administration the opportunity to claim to be listening and caring."

The coalition has proposed additional amendments to the Bill, including the removal of  a 10% export promotion levy on clinkers used in cement production, which they argue will stifle competition in a specific sector in order to protect a specific investor.

"As a country, we will be shooting ourselves in the foot if we make laws just to protect one business person," the statement says. 

"The Export Promotion Levy must be dropped."

The coalition also wants the proposal to increase the fuel levy by Ksh9 per litre removed from the Bill, claiming that without the movement of goods and people, there will be no economy. 

MPs will hold a special session on Thursday to discuss the contentious Bill, which is scheduled to be voted on next Tuesday.