In the year 1952 our forefathers decided that they just had enough of phsychological abuse, excesive and forceful taxation, land expropriation and economic hardships brought to them by the oppressive power brought to them by the colonial government and 63 years later their grandchildren and great grandchildren decided to give birth to a similar uprising the only difference is that instead of fighting the white man they are fighting their own oppressive government.
On Thursday 20th of June when the Kenyan protests mostly led by the younger generation i.e milenials and Gen Z hit its crescendo when a mob of protesters assembled outside the parliament to ensure they disrupt and in hopes to stop the ongoing proposal of the punitive finance bill that the Kenya Kwanza government is forcefully imposing on it’s citizens. The young revolutionist did the country proud as they most notably condcted a peaceful and well organized protest without any rampage and without any looting whatsoever, but the sad thing is the same cann’t be said about the police who used excessive force to disperse a peaceful crowd, something the police depertment most especially their arrogant Inspector General is being repremanded on.
Despite, the bill being passed by the corrupt Members of Parliaments(MPigs) after they betrayed the people that elected them in power with rumors that they were bribed a whooping 2million shillings each to pass the bill. If the rumors are really true it goes to show that we are not only being ruled by greedy self centred individuals but incompetent and imprudent to be on those seats and should be disbanded and released from their duties because they have clearly failed their constituents but the entire country at large.
After the Thursday nationwide protests what angered the protesters and all Kenyans at large was how the politicians were quick to paint their plight for freedom as publicity stunts of a screen addicted generation that has no idea of how the government works to the president William Ruto going to the extreme of claiming that this protests are redundant and the bill will be passed whether we like it or not.
This kind of manipulative reaction of downplaying a struggle meant to liberate the people will not be accepted by this generation because unlike the old times the internet has made it possible for people to learn a thing or two about narssicistic behaviour employed to subjects by tyrannical leaders. But the final nail to the coffin that has really angered the protestors is when police officers murdered an innocent young man named Rex Kanyike Masai after they maliciously gunned him down and left him for dead. Rex Kanyike was honoured at a vigil held at Uhuru Park at Sunday 23rd of June.He might also have started a even bigger uprising since the protestors have declared a seven day protest that will end with the youth eventually shutting down the country showing that if they won’t be listened to by those they put in power they are willing to risk it all and take back what rightfully belongs to them.
Most politicians made arrogant claims and didn’t even shed light on Rex Kanyike’s death. For instance Dr. Alfred Mutua chose to guilt trip the young protesters with the tragic accident of a police officer whose teargas canister backfired and blew in his hands which quite frankly was his mistake especially since their was no racketering.
“We are trying to do the best for this country, so all these propaganda, activism, my beautiful young people…look at the facts and don’t get caught up in activism, in violence that leads to bloodshed. That officer who has lost his arms, the blood he has shed is on you,”~Alfred Mutua.
Other politicians that scoffed at the youth led protests include majority leader Kimani Ichung’wa, Oscar Sudi, Farouk Kibet and Ababu Namwamba. The Gen Zevolution seven day protests dubbed “seven days of rage” will begin on Friday and will proceed as follows:
- On Friday, June 21, the youth are set to visit the City Mortuary, attend Juma prayers at Jamia Mosque, and give water to those leaving after the prayers.
- On the second day, Saturday, June 22, the youth have extended a unity call to bars and clubs that Gen Z frequent, where music will stop at midnight and everybody will listen to a national crescendo of, ‘Ruto must go, and Reject Finance Bill’.
- Sunday, June 23 will see a number of activities including holding into account the 204 MPs who voted in support of the Bill in churches. The Gen Zs plan to rally churches to deny the said MPs platforms to address congregants.
- Monday will see a courtesy call stating, “Endelea hivyo hivyo!’ made to the MPs’ who supported the bill at their respective constituency offices and their constituents would be urged to boycott any businesses affiliated with them. The youth also plan to mount support by collecting signatures in order to recall them.
- The notice says that Tuesday will mark the second #OccupyParliament protest where GEN Z’s warn of a ‘Total Shutdown’ of the country through a nationwide strike.
- ” Gen Zs are granting all hard-working Kenyans a day off. Parents keep your children at home in solidarity,” stated the notice.
- Gen Z’s on Wednesday will be leading a call to action demanding justice for the death of Rex who was killed during Thursday’s protests in Nairobi. They are expected to visit IPOA offices and also the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome.
- Next week Thursday will mark the climax of the protests where Gen Z’s have warned that they will block main roads leading to Nairobi and march to State House under the slogan #OccupyStateHouse. Being the day President William Ruto is expected to sign the Finance Bill into law, Gen Z’s say they will be going to ‘witness Ruto sign our lives into slavery
The sudden change of heart of arrogant politicians like Ichung’wa who are know ironically claiming that this is a foresighted generation that has a clear understanding of what they want despite his disperaging claims that this is a protest led by ignorant children who just want attention shows how the tables have turned and although the bill still being passed by parliament this is a sign that the oppressive Kenya Kwanza government have come to the realisation that they are just men without any power since power truly belongs to the people and if they think otherwise the country will bring them to their knees.
#RejectFinanceBill2024 #Occupyparliament #justiceforRex.
It’s imperative to say that we are in the midst of something revolutionary and even more surprising is that its being organized by the younger generation who are known for not taking political matters seriously and despite the fact that people in power are known for ensuring things go their way but the movement goes to show that we will not take oppresion siting down.