Young Africans do not ever forget this: Freedom is NEVER Free!
As it stands, Africa is a giant gaping hole filled with shit, and our incompetent leaders have held us hostage at the bottom of it.
NB: Pardon my bluntness. This is the reason why I do not speak in public. I am a work in progress.
Abstract
The government’s proposed Finance Bill triggered the recent protest in Kenya.
Think of it this way—the Kenyan government’s wallet is a giant Susu bank running low on coins. Therefore, they proposed a plan to collect more money from everyday purchases like bread, diapers, sanitary pads, and the digital economy to keep the country running.
The bill aims to offset the heavy public debt, but it has been met with angry demonstrators.
Why?!
They argue that the proposed tax hikes will raise the cost of living for Kenyans who are already struggling. This article examines the root causes of the protests, the government’s response, and the potential implications for Kenya and the wider region. To understand the context and significance of these protests, let’s take a closer look at the unfolding events.
Introduction
The Kenyan protests were sparked by the government’s proposed 2024 Finance Bill. The government plans to ensure that by 2027, it collects more money from taxes than the size of the country’s economy. This means it wants a bigger slice of the economic pie from taxes. President William Ruto’s tax collection target for 2024/2025 is approximately USD 31.25 billion. This has angered the youth, leading to violent demonstrations and the storming of Parliament on June 25.
The protests have profound implications. Economically, they may deter investors and slow growth. That will worsen the issues the reforms aim to address. Politically, they expose deep societal divisions and could damage Kenya’s reputation as a stable democracy.
For instance, why are the police shooting live rounds at young peaceful protestors? Why are there abductions by unknown people of young people? As reported by the Kenyan Human Rights Watch. That means the government’s response to dissent could affect civil liberties and democracy.
However, at the heart of these protests is a new generation of activists armed with digital tools and a fierce determination to bring about change.
The Gen Z Revolution
Welcome to the “Gen Z revolution,” where the strategy room is virtual, and the battle is on land and virtual platforms. The weapons of destruction are memes, TikTok videos, and AI-generated content. This isn’t your grandfather’s protest movement; it’s a digital uprising rewriting the rules of engagement. While the Kenyan protests are part of a global trend of youth-led movements, they also have a distinctly local flavour that sets them apart.
Global Perspective, Local Flavor
Take, for example, the use of TikTok to spread protest messages in various Kenyan dialects. It’s a masterful fusion of traditional communication and cutting-edge technology, ensuring the movement’s message reaches even the most remote villages. This inclusive approach has been a hallmark of successful African protests. These movements draw support across diverse groups and build coalitions rather than fostering division. The Kenyan protests also highlight the growing role of technology and artificial intelligence in modern activism.
AI and Digital Activism
Social media has become crucial for organising and amplifying protests worldwide in the digital age. The Kenyan demonstrations, like the 2019 Hong Kong protests and the #EndSARS movement in Nigeria, have harnessed the power of hashtags and online platforms.
Under the banner of #OccupyParliament, Kenyan activists have used Twitter, Facebook, and other social media to coordinate demonstrations, share real-time updates, and document police brutality. This digital activism has allowed the Kenyan protests to gain international attention and solidarity. It mirrors the global impact of movements like #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo in many ways. Despite the high-tech tools, the Kenyan protesters have remained committed to peaceful resistance.
The Power of Peaceful Protest
The peaceful nature of these protests starkly contrasts with the often violent demonstrations of the past. Organisers have emphasised nonviolence, discouraging looting and destruction. This is a powerful reminder of the effectiveness of peaceful resistance, echoing the lessons of giants like Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. As the Kenyan protests continue to unfold, they offer valuable lessons for other African countries grappling with similar challenges.
However, the reality on the ground is complex and often tragic. Despite the organisers’ calls for peace, the protests have seen casualties. At least five lives have been lost, with many teargassed and shot with rubber bullets by police, according to CNN. The spectre of violence looms large. Many people have been arrested nationwide amid fears of looting and violent clashes.
The Road Ahead
Young Kenyans understand one thing: freedom is not free. It comes at a cost.
Like in the case of Tunisia, Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire in December 2010, sparking the Arab Spring. As a result, the country became democratic. At 36%, female representation within the political space is one of the highest in Africa, and poverty has been reduced significantly. Oh, and they have the continent’s second-best healthcare system.
Young Nigerians put a brilliant display of protest demands that resulted in the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), which was terrorising the youth. The Pussy Riots, Greta Thunbergs Parliament Sit-in, Lebanese ‘Bloody Brides’ Protest and more have all effected change.
Not all protests claim lives, but mass action gets leaders to sit up, especially if it has all the ingredients of relentlessness. Ultimately, the Kenyan protests’ success depends on citizens’ willingness to hold their leaders accountable and demand better.
Tiger’s Roar
The bottom line is this – You deserve the leadership you get. Assume you are in a marriage where your husband has made it a ritual to abuse you physically. If you make excuses for him, remember that he’s precisely what you deserve.
Suppose a group of friends are in a job where their employer does not comply with the labour law, and they don’t confront it or quit. Remember, they deserve all his abuse.
If you live in a poorly managed country but claim peace of mind is better than holding your elected officials accountable, remember you deserve that poor leadership.
While we may not always control our circumstances, we always have the power to choose our response. Like the Igbo people at Dunbar Creek in 1803, who chose death over enslavement. We can resist oppressors’ rule and fight for our dignity. This isn’t about blame but about recognising our power to act, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
You can make all the excuses in the world, but the young people of Kenya decided to get the attention of their Narcoqueens and Godfathers, aka politicians.
Freedom is NEVER Free. Even the quality of life you want, you have to fight for. If so, what gave you the audacity to hope for good governance without a fight?
Well Done Young Kenyans
In conclusion, the young people of Kenya deserve great praise for their courage, creativity, and commitment to building a better future.
The revolution may not be televised but will be tweeted, shared, and liked. And in that sharing, in that digital communion of ideas and aspirations, a new world is being born.
A world shaped by Africa’s youth’s hopes, dreams, and determination. A world where the people’s voices cannot be silenced, no matter how hard those in power might try.
This is the promise of Kenya’s Gen Z revolution, and it echoes far beyond the borders of this East African nation. It’s a clarion call to the youth of Africa: if you want freedom, wrestle for it.
This is Kenya’s Gen Z revolution. And across Africa, this is only just the beginning.
Translation: Susu – Piggy Bank