Silverio Omari
As citizens across the country vowed to hit the streets on Tuesday for demonstrations demanding good governance, youths in Nyamira County are divided on whether to join the protests and how best to push for change.
Speaking to Wananchi Reporting, local resident Julius Barongo expressed frustration, saying, “We are tired of the protests as they are hurting our businesses. We rely on our businesses for our daily bread, and they have to close during protests.” Conversely, another local stated, “It is our right to protest against injustices, and we will continue until our grievances are addressed.”
One youth mentioned that he planned to participate in the protests, seeing it as the only way to demand change and accountability from elected leaders, noting that significant amounts of money are being lost to corruption.
On Tuesday, some youths barricaded roads with tires and set fires, prompting police intervention to disperse the protesters. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported during the early morning protests.
For weeks now, citizens across the country have been holding protests calling for change. Initially sparked by the now-withdrawn Finance Bill 2024, the protests have evolved into a broader movement demanding leadership change and justice for those killed while exercising their democratic right to protest.
The United States Embassy in Kenya has issued a security advisory to American citizens, citing ongoing protests in several cities. The embassy warned that protests are likely on Tuesdays and Thursdays, particularly in central business districts and major thoroughfares.
Dj Vnyash
