Gen-Z challenging the status quo is just the start
A new chapter was written in the annals of Kenyan history on Tuesday – a one-of-a-kind revolution. This was not woven by the fabrics of ethnicity, political stance, social status, or even the amount of influence in society.
It was a revolution sparked by the constant oppression of the mwananchi by the government, the same government financed by our taxes but extending to us the middle finger, chest-thumping, and boasting about how those with shares in the government will benefit. Insane, isn’t it?
For the very first time, a new generation of citizens took to the streets of Nairobi to patriotically and peacefully exercise their democratic rights, as enshrined in Article 37 of the Constitution, which states: “Every person has the right, peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket, and to present petitions to public authorities.”
Interestingly enough, Gen-Z turned out in colossal numbers, besides a few millennials, leading the frontline in protesting the punitive taxation that the government attempted to impose on helpless Kenyans.
They used the slogans #RejectFinanceBill2024 and #OccupyParliament. Gen-Z had decided enough was enough, marching with a deep love for the nation and a burning desire for meaningful change.
The march in the Nairobi CBD was peaceful and smoother than a buttered hot knife, until the police, seemingly stressed by the contentious 2024 Finance Bill, decided to unleash their wrath on the wrong target – innocent Kenyans who neither provoked nor hurled stones at anyone. If you ask me, it was the police who disrupted operations in the heart of our beautiful city in the sun.
Someone needed to tap the bullies in blue on the shoulder and remind them that the same people they were harassing and cuffing were the same young people protesting for the good of the servicemen and women, and every other Kenyan.
Even before the march, the government felt the pressure and responded by scrapping several tax proposals, including a 25 per cent excise duty on crude palm oil and finished cooking oil.
Locally manufactured items such as diapers and sanitary towels were also exempted from a proposed eco levy, among other changes.
The agitation started on social media before escalating, leading government officials like David Ndii to dismiss the online outcry as mere chatter. His remark was quite an understatement.
Gen-Z was once known for making the loudest noise on social media but being toothless dogs when it came to addressing real issues on the ground. But, lo and behold! Who was going about their day-to-day activities with frustration and disdain for the government while these God-sent youth took to the streets to fight for them?
As I wrap up things, and pave the way for the MPs to participate in the crucial process of voting on the finance bill later today, I want to emphasise that the actions of Gen-Z are a call to the government to uphold transparency and create favourable conditions for citizens to thrive. Heavy taxation will cripple the nation and everyone within it.
With strong support, Gen-Z in Kenya can bring about the change we have long awaited. As a member of Gen-Z, I urge my peers to invest our time in learning about civic engagement, leadership, and advocacy, as they are also weapons that will help us understand how to further go about this great revolution. Viva, comrades!
The writer is a Sub-Editor with People Daily.
