This video has been shared on X with claims that it shows protesters in Eldoret town on June 27, 2024. A search on the same platform with ‘Eldoret’ as a keyword reveals that these claims have been repeated in posts here, here, and here.
Background
On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, widespread anti-tax protests erupted in Kenya in response to the government’s finance bill for the 2024/2025 fiscal year. These protests have been marked by clashes between the police and demonstrators which have led to loss of life, destruction of property and numerous injuries. By Tuesday, June 25, 2024, 23 deaths had been reported. These numbers, attributed to the Police Reforms Working Group (PRWG) are deaths caused by police shooting nationwide.
In a press briefing issued on June 26, 2024, President William Ruto vowed to withdraw the tax proposals in the Finance Bill 2024.
During the briefing, he said, “Having reflected on the continuing conversation around the content of the Finance Bill 2024, and listening keenly to the people of Kenya who have said loudly that they want nothing to do with this bill 2024, I concede and therefore, I will not sign the 2024 finance bill.”
“It shall subsequently be withdrawn,” he added.
While these protests compelled the president to withdraw this bill, on June 27, 2024, demonstrations continued demanding that he step down as the president of Kenya.
Verification
A reverse image search on this video shows a tweet which is attributed to user @itsKoech_. Both these videos, posted 20 minutes apart were shared on June 25, 2024.
An analysis of this video shows that it was taken along the Eldoret-Malaba road. Another video published by Nation on June 27, 2024, shows that this area was peaceful with no protesters in sight by noon along the same road. Another live broadcast by Citizen TV shows a fairly small crowd of protesters at about 4:36 PM carrying batons in different streets in Eldoret town.
Verdict
No, this video does not show protesters in Eldoret on June 27, 2024, and is therefore FALSE.
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