Today, Tuesday, is expected to witness another round of protests aimed at pressuring the government to take accountability for the lives lost during the previous mass disobedience sparked by the unpopular Finance Bill, 2024.
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Since the first Occupy Parliament protests on June 18, President William Ruto has implemented drastic measures, including withdrawing the Bill and firing his entire Cabinet except for one minister. However, these actions have done little to appease the youthful demonstrators, popularly known as Gen Z.
Activist Boniface Mwangi confirmed on Monday evening that the peaceful protests would proceed as planned until the government takes responsibility for the deceased protesters.
“So let’s not think we have won anything yet because we don’t have anything tangible we can say we have won. Why can’t the President call the families of those who died and apologise because he hasn’t done any of that,” Mwangi said.
The government has acknowledged that at least 25 protesters died during the protests, although the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) put the death toll at 41, with 360 injuries.
Speaking virtually at a town hall dialogue organised by Africa Uncensored, Mwangi, who has been at the forefront of the anti-government protests, said it’s going to be a long fight until justice is served for the victims.
“The thing is, what we are asking for at this particular stage is justice for the victims. We need compensation for the victims and all the alleged killer cops prosecuted,” he said.
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“We are also saying that the housing levy needs to be scrapped, bring back NHIF, we don’t want this SHIF thing. The problem we have is that if we leave the streets, he will not listen to us,” Mwangi added.
Mercy, another speaker at the town hall dialogue also attended by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, said their demands go beyond merely holding the government accountable.
“One life lost is one too many,” she said, adding that “repentance without restitution is just hot air.”
“We cannot afford to play a game of numbers when it comes to people’s lives. We cannot come and ask whether it was 40 people or whether it was one person, 15, or 30 people,” she said.
The protesters also want the President to hold the dismissed office holders accountable for any commissions or omissions on their end.
“We cannot clap for fish for swimming, that’s what it’s supposed to do,” she said.
Mwangi urged those who cannot join the protests to stay home in solidarity.
“As Omtatah said, the streets are the biggest stage you can ever have because when you disrupt people’s lives, the government listens, and that’s why the Constitution gives the right to protest.”
