Hacker group Anonymous warns President Ruto amid Kenya’s anti-Finance Bill protests

Anonymous, an online activist group that uses hacking to further causes it supports, has warned the Kenyan government against arrest and harassment of Kenyans opposed to the controversial Finance Bill 2024. In a one-minute and 18-second video published on X, where the hacker group has more than five million followers, Anonymous told President William Ruto and the Kenyan Parliament to "respect the rule of law and the right to protest’ of #RejectFinanceBill2024 participants". "Greetings, Citizens of the world. This is a warning message to William Ruto, the Kenyan Government, and all members of parliament from Anonymous. It has come to our attention that there are discussions in parliament to pass the Finance Bill, which will unfairly tax the citizens of Kenya. "Kenyan citizens attempting peaceful demonstrations are being unfairly harassed, arrested, and shot at with live bullets by the police force under your command," the group said. Anonymous, citing angry citizens sharing legislators’ phone numbers on social media to pressure them against the bill, threatened to hack the leaders and expose corruption and other "secrets". "Soon, there will be an uprising of hackers, many of whom may reside in your home country. Your secrets may no longer be safe, and there is a chance that all these secrets will be exposed to show how corrupt and unjust members of this parliament are, embezzling public funds for personal gain," they said. The group urged the Kenyan lawmakers to listen to the cries of its citizens and reject the Finance Bill in its entirety. "On Thursday, the 20th of June, Kenyans will march and #OccupyParliament. We do not want you to amend the Finance Bill; we want you to reject it," the hackers warned. "Listen to the cries of your citizens, or the people of the world will resist you every step of the way. Citizens of Kenya, do not worry, Tuko Pamoja! We are Anonymous, We are Legion, Expect us!" The hacker group is widely known for its extensive cyber attacks against several governments, government institutions and government agencies, corporations and the Church of Scientology. The group is linked to the hacking of websites of major corporations like Sony and PayPal, as well as government entities such as the CIA. In January 2011, Anonymous was involved in the Tunisian Revolution and engaged in DDoS attacks on key Tunisian websites—including the president, prime minister, ministry of industry, ministry of foreign affairs, and the stock exchange—taking down at least 8 websites and defacing several others. Kenyan MPs take vote Kenyan MPs are expected to vote on the contentious Bill on Thursday afternoon, days after President Ruto bowed to growing pressure from Kenyans and dropped some unpopular taxes. The Kenyan Head of State met MPs from the ruling coalition at State House Nairobi on Tuesday and allowed the amendments that included the withdrawal of proposed 16 percent VAT on bread, 2.5 per cent motor vehicle tax and hiking of tax on mobile money transfers to 20 percent from 15 percent. Also withdrawn was a proposal to introduce a Ksh150 per kilogram eco-tax on plastic packaging materials, batteries and hygiene products including diapers and sanitary pads. Unlike in the past, when protests were led by members of the opposition coalition, including former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the recent protests in Kenya are largely led by young Kenyans, popularly known as Gen Z, both on social media and on the streets.