Kenyan authorities released activists arrested on Tuesday during the “Occupy Parliament” protests. Among them was prominent activist Boniface Mwangi.

Mwangi and his companions were detained outside Parliament after chaining themselves to a handcart in protest of the proposed Finance Bill. The group included Mathius Shipeta and Ngatia Kimathi.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) ultimately found no grounds to charge the activists. Assistant DPP Dorcas Rugutu highlighted that the charge sheet lacked a clear offense and no evidence demonstrated the group’s actions caused fear or a potential breach of peace.

Police initially sought charges of creating a disturbance and unlawful assembly. The DPP countered that while the activists carried placards, there was no proof their conduct disrupted peace. Additionally, no evidence showed any theft, damage, or loss of property during the alleged assembly.

“The evidence presented has not met the evidentiary threshold to warrant approval of the proposed charges,” Rugutu concluded.

Following their release on Wednesday, the jubilant activists chanted slogans outside Milimani Law Courts.

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Protest Against Proposed Tax Measures

Mwangi, one of the protest organizers, voiced opposition to the tax hikes outlined in the Finance Bill for the 2024-25 budget. The Bill aims to raise Sh346 billion towards the Sh3.9 trillion budget.

Kimani Kuria, Chair of the Finance Committee, urged Parliament to scrutinize both the revenue and expenditure sides of the proposed budget.