Kaluma vows to fight for Finance Bill protest victims until justice is served
Homa Bay Town Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Kaluma has pledged to continue advocating for justice on behalf of the victims of the Finance Bill 2024 protests.
In a bold statement shared on his official X account on Tuesday, April 30, 2025, Kaluma said the country cannot afford to forget the victims of the demonstrations, many of whom suffered serious harm while exercising their constitutional right to protest.
The MP emphasised the need for accountability, saying those responsible for the excessive use of force must be held to account.
“We have spoken about Kenyans who found themselves in harm’s way during the Finance Bill 2024 protests. We will continue to speak for the victims until justice is done,” Kaluma stated.
Kaluma on BBC documentary
This comes a day after Kaluma called for the government to ban the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) from operating in Kenya after documenting part of the events that took place during the Finance Bill 2024 protest.
On Monday, April 28, Kaluma argued that the role played by the media in any democracy is too important to be discharged irresponsibly.
“BAN @BBCAfrica IN KENYA. The role played by the media in any democracy is too important to be discharged irresponsibly. The media can build greater democracy or destroy an otherwise stable state,” the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) lawmaker stated.
Finance Bill 2024 protest
Kaluma joins a growing list of leaders calling for justice and reform in how security agencies respond to public demonstrations.
The Finance Bill 2024 sparked nationwide protests over proposed tax hikes, with citizens voicing concerns about the rising cost of living. While most demonstrations were peaceful, several incidents of violence and arrests were reported, drawing widespread condemnation from civil society and human rights groups.
Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), data released on July 1, 2024, reported that 39 people have been killed while 361 were injured during the countrywide anti-government protest
KNCHR data indicates that Nairobi County recorded the highest number of deaths during the protest, followed by Nakuru and Kajiado, while Mombasa and Nandi counties recorded the least.
“The Commission in this report provides updates, observations and recommendations: Fatalities and Injuries: Data from our records indicates that thirty-nine people have died and three hundred and sixty-one were injured during the protests countrywide,” the KNCHR report reads.
“This is cumulative data from June 18, 2024, to July 1, 2024. Post-mortems for most of the victims are yet to be conducted. The dead are from Nairobi (17), Nakuru (3), Laikipia (1), Narok (1), Kajiado (3), Uasin Gishu (4), Kakamega (1), Kisumu (2), Kisii (1), Mombasa (3), Siaya (1), Kiambu (1) and Nandi (1).”
