Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie has apologised over his recent remarks where he insinuated that the magnitude of the Gen Z-driven anti-Finance Bill protests was overrated.

In his remarks made on the floor of the House Thursday last week, the MP said images circulated online from Tuesday's Occupy Parliament protests had been doctored to give a false impression that the crowds were massive.

“In the heat of the moment during the debate on the Finance Bill, my words were unnecessary, misguided and insensitive,” Kiarie said in a handwritten apology on Monday.

“I deeply regret my utterances and understand the anger and frustration that exists in our nation. Anger that stems from decades of unresolved, but potent national issues,” he added.

During debate on the Finance Bill on June 19, Kiarie claimed protests held on Tuesday 18 were fake demonstrations.

“And the lie persists Mr Speaker because even some of the photos that we were seeing out on the streets I can tell you as a graphic editor, that they do not belong to this country,” Kiarie told the House.

The first term MP claimed from the footprint of some to the photos, the images were taken years back but were being passed off by organisers of the protests as fresh images.

“Photos were being taken off the internet and being edited and posed as Generation Z. I’m a photo expert Mr Speaker and I can point out photos that were edited to look like they were in the streets of Nairobi but they were not,” he added.

Kiarie’s remarks sparked anger and annoyance amongst Gen Zs so much that when he stood to speak at a funeral last Friday, he was booed and heckled and the microphone taken away from him.

It was a day after 204 MPs voted ‘Yes’ to enable the contentious Finance Bill, 2024 sail through the Second Reading phase.

The MP was attempting to explain to the mourners why he voted ‘Yes’ but the crowd could hear none of that.

“Kaa chini, kaa chini, ah ah tumekataa, sit down. Kaa chini wacha tufanye vile tunafanya!,” voices were heard amidst booing, forcing the MP to resume his seat.

In his apology posted on X, the former comedian acknowledged the importance of civil activism saying he was once in the shoes of the Gen Z protesters where he advocated for accountability on the side those in power.

As such, the MP said he appreciates “the courage and creativity shown by the younger generation in advocating for change through innovative means, including social media and other emerging technologies”.

“I’m sincerely sorry for any provocation, hurt or confusion my words may have caused. I definitely have learnt a lot from this and also from all the active listening and engagements that I have been doing this weekend,” he said.

Gen Z have vowed to return to the streets this Tuesday to continue agitation for the total rejection of the Bill which they say is punitive.

Despite the Finance Committee having said some of the contentious clauses like taxing diapers and pads have been dropped, the group has remained adamant and wants the Bill dropped entirely.

“Do not amend. Reject,” posters doing rounds on social media show.

The protesters have vowed to instigate a “total shutdown” even after President William Ruto said over the weekend that the government was ready to sit down with the young people and talk about their concerns.

“And I want to tell you that we are going to have a conversation so that we can identify your issues and work together as a nation,” he said during a Sunday church service in Nyahururu, Laikipia county.

The resolve to hold Tuesday’s second round of Occupy Parliament comes amid claims that several leading organisers of the revolt have been abducted and are being held incommunicado.

The Church, civil rights groups and a section of leaders have called for restraint on the side of the police during the demonstrations after two protesters died last week.

MPs are on Tuesday expected to take the Finance Bill, 2024 through Third Reading before casting their votes to either pass it as is, pass it with amendments or reject it.