The UK has sent a caution to its citizens in Kenya over the Finance Bill 2024 protests that have rocked different parts of the country.
In a notice published on the UK Government website, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s administration has asked its citizens to avoid political gatherings and large crowds.
The United Kingdom has also appealed to its citizens to monitor local media stations to understand the situation on the ground.
The notice made it clear that the anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests are more likely to continue with Nairobi being among the areas set to be affected.
“There have been injuries at anti-government political demonstrations in recent months. Planned protests about the proposed Finance Bill 2024 are expected to continue across multiple cities in Kenya, including Nairobi,” the notice read in part.
” Avoid political gatherings and large crowds and monitor local media to see when and where major protests are likely,” it added.
Notice follows US warning
The UK’s caution to its citizens comes days after the US Embassy in Nairobi also issued a similar notice.
On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, the US Embassy indicated that protests were set to rock Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) and other parts of the country.
“There is a planned protest about the Finance Bill of 2024 in the area of the Parliament of Kenya in the Central Business District beginning at 12:00 pm. Organizers have stated that the events are intended to be peaceful,” the embassy stated.
“However, large public gatherings can turn violent at any moment. It is recommended to remain vigilant and aware of circumstances and avoid large gatherings. Traffic disruptions are expected.”
Further, the US Embassy directed its citizens to avoid protest areas and demonstrations, avoid crowds and monitor local media for updates.
The protests have so far gained traction by spreading in other parts of the country including Mombasa, Nyeri, Kisumu, Nanyuki, Nakuru and Kakamega.
Despite calls to reject the bill, over 200 MPs voted to sail it through the Second Reading.
The bill is now expected to proceed to the House Committee where MPs will deliberate on the proposed amendments presented and vote on each one of them.
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