In Summary:
- The street’s voices express fear and hope in the protests.
- President Ruto stands with the police as they commit to law and order.
- The Catholic church stands with the youth but advocates for an orderly, peaceful day.
Hope and fear capture the mood in the streets of Nairobi and Kenya as we commemorate June 25th, the day young Kenyans shed blood in the clamor for good governance and leadership.
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Hope and Fear in the Streets
Ghetto Radio interviewed traders within the Nairobi CBD, who expressed fear for the young souls and the loss their businesses would suffer. They also expressed hope for a better Kenya, and their view, protesting is the only language the government listens too. The elderly traders however wished for dialogue and finding a lasting solution for the nation’s progress.
They demanded for justice for those who lost their lives and property during the June 25th, 2024, protests. They also advised that the youth should be weary of the politicians and criminals who might want to politicize a legitimate course.
They cautiously wish for a peaceful day in the streets during the commemoration. The opposition led by Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugine Wamalwa have promised to join, escalating fears of politicization of the event.
Last year in June and July 2024, according to KNHCR, 60 people lost their lives during Gen Z anti-finance Bill 2024 protests.
The Streets speak!
“We fear for our matatus to be stoned by hooligans, and police teargas on our passengers. Our drivers and conductors survive on hand to mouth earnings. A day lost is painful on our pockets. All in all, the protests are good, because that is the only language the government understands”. Supa Metro matatu driver in Nairobi.
“We will have to close our salon because customers won’t show up. A day lost will cost us much on our rent at the end of the month. Last year, goons broke in and stole our properties, we lost everything. We had to start from zero. The protests should stop and allow for dialogue amongst the leaders because they all know each other”. Salon owner at Afya Center in Nairobi.
“As a hawker, I live from hand to mouth and everyday counts. A day missed, I go hungry. I also worry about my health, security and safety. But I encourage the protests because I desire for a functional government. I wish for dialogue after in order to find a quick solution”. Hawker in Nairobi CBD.
“We have employed workers who have to paid at the end of the month whether there were protests and we closed shop or not. We have also acquired daily service loans that must be paid. Therefor any day closed is a huge loss. I urge the government to dialogue with the Gen z and listen and implement their concerns”. Business owner at the Bus station in Nairobi.
President Ruto warns against disrespecting the police
Earlier at a statehouse function, President Ruto issued a stern warning against intimidating the police. “Nobody is above the law, none of us is above the law! You cannot intimidate the police. You cannot use force against the police or insult them. Threatening the police is threatening the nation.” President Ruto.
READ ALSO: President Ruto Orders Probe into Death of Albert Ojwang in Police Custody
In tandem with the president, the police through the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja promised committed to keeping law and order tomorrow.
“The public is urged to refrain from provocative acts directed to the police officers. We assure the public that we will pursue and dismantle the criminal networks to ensure safety and security of all Kenyans”. Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja.
Raila Odinga and the Opposition speak
The former Prime Minister H.E Raila Odinga however urged police to allow for the protests to proceed and urged the government not to criminalize demonstrations.
“You should not criminalize demonstrations, and demonstration must also not disrupt the economy of the country. We should all conduct ourselves in a civilized manner, and we shall have a peaceful country. Therefore, tomorrow there is no need for the government to stop people from demonstrating”. Raila Odinga stated.
The opposition while launching a People’s Restorative Justice Commision vowed to join the commemoration. Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka urged the opposition to join him in laying wreath in memory of the young souls who lost their lives.
DAP party leader Eugine Wamalwa urged their followers to emulate the Gen Z by carrying a flag and smartphone to the streets in solidarity with the youth in the streets tomorrow.
The Catholic Church leaders Voice
The catholic backed the youth and urged for accommodation of the young people voices especially when speaking truth to power. They stood with the youth and warned against politicizing of the commemoration.
“We are deeply concerned about the growing devaluation of human life in our country. Some state agencies have chosen to suppress constructive youth participation. We have witnessed harassment, abduction, and in some cases killing of the young people whose only offense was raising their voices for accountability and justice”. The Catholic leadership said at a presser led by the outspoken Archbishop Anthony Muheria.
