UDA MP Jackson Kosgei narrates how Gen Z protesters saved him during Parliament raid

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party Nominated MP Jackson Kosgei has narrated the events that unfolded after he was left behind in the National Assembly during demonstrations when Kenyan youth stormed Parliament in protest over Finance Bill, 2024.

He explained that the chaos ensued after the lawmakers had passed the Bill in the morning session and the Appropriations Bill in the afternoon.

Kosgei pointed out that the opposition Azimio la Umoja One Kenya MPs had stormed out of Parliament in protest against the majority vote for the Bill and declared that they would join the protestors who were engaging police in running battles in Nairobi’s CBD. 

The legislator claimed that shortly after passing the Appropriations Bill, the MPs heard a commotion as protestors stormed the gates and walked in large numbers towards the building.

Kosgei, who is in a wheelchair, found himself in an unfortunate situation as other MPs ran towards the evacuation route, leaving him behind to the mercy of the protesters.

The MP was unable to escape on time and was unsure of how he would face the protestors as he was among the 195 MPs who voted ‘Yes’ to pass the since withdrawn contentious Bill.

“Unfortunately, where there is an evacuation route is not friendly to wheelchair users like myself. It was getting worse and my colleague Rose Museu, who was using crutches, and I decided to face the protesters. We were at the private members lounge,” Kosgei told The Standard newspaper.

Kosgei detailed that the protesters stumbled upon him but were kind to him as they requested to escort him out of the building.

“They came in and saw us. They knew who I am and even knew how I had voted. But they told me that I was a good man and asked me to allow them to escort me out of the building. They said what would happen might not be good for me,” he noted.

He noted that the youth engaged him in productive conversations on why they rejected the Bill, citing overtaxation on Kenyans despite the high cost of living. 

A video was shared online showing protestors wheeling Kosgei out of the building while chanting.

“I thank you for saving my life and that of Rose Museu when everybody was running for their lives, and rightly so. I appreciate that even in the moment of anger and stress, they still had humanity in them,” he noted.