Attached to this post on X is an image with the caption claiming it shows the army standing with the Kenyan people during the recent protests against the Finance Bill 2024. The photo was posted on June 27, 2024.
Background
On June 25, 2024, Kenyan MPs passed the Finance Bill 2024 with a majority of 195 against 106, with three spoiled votes, despite widespread protests. There were calls to occupy Parliament on the fifth day of the seven days of rage, following the killing of peaceful protesters on June 20, 2024. These protests turned deadly when police officers opened fire on unarmed civilians, killing 13 young people.
In the aftermath, the President condemned the events as “treasonous” and on June 26, 2024, Parliament approved the deployment of KDF officers to restore order. The Law Society of Kenya petitioned this move, but the High Court upheld it, giving the government two days to specify the scope, duration, and areas of KDF intervention.
Verification
A Google reverse image search reveals that the image is actually from Zimbabwe, taken during the protests on November 18, 2017, calling for the removal of then-President, now deceased, Robert Mugabe. These protests erupted after Mugabe sacked his Vice President, Emmerson Mnangagwa. In response, the military seized power and placed Mugabe under house arrest, pledging to support the protests as long as they remained peaceful. More reports on this can be found here, here, and here.
Screengrab from the article where the image was originally used.
Verdict
Claims that this image shows the army standing with the people during the anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests are FALSE.
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