Kenya’s young generations showed up and showed out during the anti-finance bill protests that took place between June and August, but unfortunately, there was a troubling aftermath.
Human Rights organisations condemned clashes that happened between protesters and anti-riot police, who reportedly fired live bullets into the crowds.
“The finance bill was meant to raise or introduce taxes or fees on a range of daily items and services including internet data, fuel, bank transfers and diapers, per Africa News.
“Some measures were stripped as anger grew. The proposals are part of the Kenyan government’s efforts to raise an extra (Sh350 billion) $2.7 billion in domestic revenue.”
Now, Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o is talking about the revolution that shook the country.
“It is chilling to know that this government is resorting to tactics that I had thought had been left in the past,” she told BBC, who reported that dozens of people were killed and numerous others abducted.
The demonstrations were famously led by people between the ages of 18 to 35, who merged their passion for change with social media to make their voices heard.
“The protests started as candid discussions online, which evolved into the mobilisation, sensitization and documentation of the movement in the digital space,” The Standard reported.
“As the heat grew around the finance Bill subject, it became clear that this was a fight filled with more youth than ever before, with a group of Gen Z content creators continuing to fearlessly speak on the matter and rally their counterparts.”
Lupita Nyong’o called the government’s handling of the protests upsetting, and wondered out loud if things will ever change.
“I am deeply grateful for the younger people who are on the front lines fighting for a different Kenya,” she said.
Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said that authorities were “very co-operative with the protesters and acceded to the demands, including the president not assenting to the finance bill.”
As for reports that people were killed during the demonstrations, Mwaura said: “Only police statistics are official. The government regrets any death that occurred during the protests and anyone who may have caused such will be held responsible following the rule of law.”
Back as the protests unfolded, Lupita spoke up on social media, saying that she was saddened by the loss of lives.
“May the government of Kenya aim to peacefully unify the nation by hearing and addressing the concerns about bad governance that are rightfully being raised,” she wrote on Instagram at the time.”
Human Rights Watch called on the government to ensure that security agencies deployed to protests protect the right to peaceful protest and refrain from using excessive and lethal force.
“The authorities should take immediate steps to investigate the killings of over two dozen people protesting the government’s proposed tax measures,” the lobbyists said.
