Dj Vnyash
Another wave of protests is expected today, Tuesday, to pressure the government to take accountability for the lives lost during the previous mass disobedience caused by the unpopular Finance Bill, 2024.
Since the initial Occupy Parliament protests on June 18, President William Ruto has taken significant steps, including withdrawing the Bill and dismissing his entire Cabinet, save for one minister. Despite these measures, the youthful demonstrators, known as Gen Z, remain unsatisfied.
Activist Boniface Mwangi confirmed on Monday evening that the peaceful protests would continue until the government acknowledges responsibility for the deceased protesters.
“We haven’t achieved anything concrete yet. The President needs to apologize to the families of those who died, which he hasn’t done,” Mwangi stated.
The government has reported at least 25 protester deaths, while the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) claims the death toll is 41, with 360 injuries.
During a virtual town hall dialogue organized by Africa Uncensored, Mwangi, a prominent figure in the anti-government protests, emphasized that the fight for justice for the victims would be prolonged.
“What we are demanding now is justice for the victims. We need compensation for the victims and prosecution of the alleged killer cops,” he said.
“We also demand the scrapping of the housing levy and the reinstatement of NHIF instead of SHIF. If we leave the streets, the government will not listen to us,” Mwangi added.
Mercy, another speaker at the town hall attended by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, highlighted that their demands go beyond government accountability.
“One life lost is one too many,” she said, adding, “Repentance without restitution is meaningless.”
“We cannot reduce the loss of lives to mere numbers, whether it’s one, 15, 30, or 40 people,” she said.
The protesters also want the President to hold the dismissed officials accountable for any of their actions or inactions.
“We shouldn’t applaud fish for swimming; it’s what they’re supposed to do,” she said.
Mwangi encouraged those unable to join the protests to stay home in solidarity.
“As Omtatah mentioned, the streets are the most powerful stage because when you disrupt lives, the government listens, which is why the Constitution grants the right to protest.”
Silverio Omari
