Dj Vnyash
Award-winning gospel artist Daddy Owen has criticized the sponsors and promoters behind the Unity billboards being placed in various locations around the county.
The ‘Tobina’ hitmaker described the initiative as insincere and hypocritical, arguing that true justice remains an unattainable dream. The 42-year-old father of two emphasized that the call for justice needs to be louder, as peace cannot exist while people’s hearts remain heavy, and they feel overlooked and undervalued.
Daddy Owen expressed his concerns regarding the victims of police brutality during the two-month protests triggered by the 2024 Finance Bill. In a post on his X account, he shared ideas to make the billboards more meaningful by incorporating a tribute to the citizens who lost their lives during the peaceful demonstrations.
The ‘Vanity’ singer proposed that the billboards feature the faces of those who were killed, injured, abducted, and tortured by police during the protests demanding government accountability.
“Whoever is putting up these billboards in Nairobi should make sure the word ‘justice’ is also prominently displayed. Alternatively, why not include the faces of the more than 50 young people who were shot, killed, or abducted?” he wrote.
He concluded with a strong statement: “The hypocrisy of promoting peace without addressing justice could be detrimental to this nation.”
According to the government-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), over 50 people have died since mid-June, when protests erupted against tax increases proposed by President William Ruto and his cabinet. Hundreds have been injured or remain hospitalized, while 59 citizens are reported as abducted or missing in connection with the protests. Many others remain imprisoned, despite calls for their release from various politicians and even the president.
Silverio Omari
