‘O God of all creation
Bless this our land and nation
Justice be our shield and defender
May we dwell in unity
Peace and liberty
Plenty be found within our
borders.
Let one and all arise
With hearts both strong and true
Service be our earnest endeavor
And our homeland of Kenya
Heritage of splendour
Firm may we stand to defend.
Let all with one accord
In common bond united
Build this our nation together
And the glory of Kenya
The fruit of our labor
Fill every heart with
thanksgiving.’
Singing the national anthem over the body of a fallen comrade in the quest to protest the passing of the finance bill, I couldn’t help but break into tears. The sidewalk was littered with gore and blood. Fell by a sniper shot directly through the head while waving the Kenyan flag outside parliament buildings, a sight that has scarred the nation forever. Is it engraved in stone? No, etched in our memories, fuelling the resolve to reclaim our dignity and demand accountability from those we elected to represent us.
The #RejectFinancebill protest began last week, on June 11, after it emerged that the majority of government-allied legislators were in favour of the Finance Bill 2024, which was largely opposed by the electorate across the country due to the associated punitive taxes. Additionally, some legislators alleged bribery by the executive in excess of Ksh 2 million each to pass the bill. The electorate, mainly the youth, demanded accountability from the country’s leadership, asking them to audit the country’s debt and reduce government expenditure. However, the Legislature went ahead and passed the bill.
It is important to note that more than 60% of the Kenyan youth are currently unemployed despite having completed their studies, education has increasingly become expensive watering down Kibaki’s free education legacy, and healthcare has become unaffordable with the National Health Insurance Fund, mutilated by corrupt overseers.
Furthermore, necessities are unaffordable. Supply of fake fertilizers to farmers by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development and other ministries’ scandals stinks to high heavens. To add insult to injury, government officials live in pomp, wearing titanium watches and designer clothes, donating millions every weekend in churches while the electorate goes hungry. Testament to blatant corruption and disregard of the citizens, crowned by hubris.
Despite the protests being peaceful, the youth armed with only their placards, flags, and, water bottles; teargas, water cannons, and live ammunition were used to quiet the voices of dissent across the country.
Marching in the frontlines with fellow youth to witness and cover history unfolding, I could feel the frustration and agitation in the crowd every time a tear gas canister exploded in our midst as chants of slogans of freedom and self-worth rented the air. After incessant shots, tear gas explosions, and bludgeoning by the security agents, nothing but the determination of the protestors pushed them on to occupy parliament, frustration etched in their actions after a middle-finger salute from the legislature by passing the contentious bill.
The climax of the executive’s heavy-handedness was witnessed in Githurai 45 where the Kenya Defence Forces were unleashed on civilians, within the country’s territory. Reports of indiscriminate shootings on the streets which began as early as 6 pm into the early hours of the morning have been shared on social media with the number of casualties in their tens.
In the days leading to the protest on June 25, abduction and unlawful detention of vocal voices criticizing the government’s actions showed a great resemblance to the Nyayo era, a nightmare that the majority of the protestors only knew from the history books but the older generation abhorred and talked of in contempt.
In the presidential address to the nation yesterday at 9 pm, the country expected the commander-in-chief to show solidarity, remorse, and understanding of the nation’s sentiment. However, they were met with threats and promises of retribution from the government on what he referred to as ‘treasonous acts’, without addressing the elephant in the room. A hollow speech from a leader known to quote the bible and champion the voices of the oppressed, or so we believed in the campaign trail.
Statements from the international community have asked the government to respect the constitution and show restraint. However, the impasse is tottering in the precipice as the president is expected to assent to the bill passed by the House.
