by Inuka Kenya | Jun 28, 2024 | Articles, Stories
On Thursday, June 26, the streets of Nairobi were filled with a haunting smell of tear gas and the heavy presence of military personnel, a day after protesters stormed parliament over a controversial tax plan. The protests, which sought to defy the proposed Finance Bill 2024 that threatened to increase the cost of living, ended in tragedy with at least 22 lives lost, according to a human rights group.
The streets were unsettlingly quiet the following day, marked by the fear and uncertainty that had gripped the capital. The violence and loss have left the nation mourning and questioning: How did we get here? Why did the president choose to respond with such force? Could these deaths have been avoided?
President William Ruto, in a national address, labelled the protests as “treasonous” and declared them an “existential threat.” His stern words and vow to quash any unrest “at whatever cost” only served to heighten tensions. Many Kenyans, especially the youth who once rallied behind him, felt betrayed. Herman Manyora, a professor at the University of Nairobi, remarked that Ruto missed an opportunity to calm the nation and empathize with the young protesters. Instead, they saw an angry president who seemed more interested in issuing threats than seeking solutions.
Among the victims was a 19-year-old boy, shot dead while peacefully protesting. His mother, Edith Wanjiku, tearfully demanded justice, asking, “Why was my son killed for speaking out? Who will hold these police officers accountable?” Her grief echoed the sentiments of many families who lost their loved ones in the chaos.
Kenya’s social fabric is strained but not broken. The protests have united people beyond tribal and other divisions in a shared struggle against the rising cost of living. This movement, led predominantly by the youth, has shown remarkable resilience. Despite the fear and the tragic loss of lives, they remain determined to prevent the finance bill from becoming law.
The future is uncertain. Will the government heed the calls of the young people, or will it continue to respond with brute force? How many more lives will be lost before a resolution is reached? The nation watches and waits, hoping for a peaceful end to this turmoil.
by Inuka Kenya | Jun 28, 2024 | Articles, Stories
Tuesday will be remembered as a day of chaos and violence in Kenya. The country’s capital, Nairobi, witnessed a deadly confrontation between protesters and police, resulting in several deaths and dozens of injuries. However, this was not confined to Nairobi alone; protests erupted in 35 counties and 68 towns across Kenya. It all began when lawmakers passed a controversial Finance Bill 2024 introducing new taxes, sparking outrage among the citizens.
Tensions had been building for weeks as the government debated the new tax bill. Many Kenyans felt the taxes would unfairly burden the already struggling population. When news broke that the bill had been passed, it was like a match had been struck in a room full of gasoline.
Under the banner of #TotalShutdown, massive unarmed youth flooded the streets of Nairobi in protest. As they made their way towards parliament, they encountered barricades manned by officers. As the crowds swelled, the situation grew increasingly tense. Protesters, fueled by frustration and desperation, clashed with the police. Tear gas and water cannons were deployed, but the demonstrators were not deterred.
In a wave of determination, they overwhelmed the police, who found themselves outnumbered and retreating.
Amid the chaos, flames erupted within the parliament compound. The sight of the iconic building on fire only intensified the emotions of the crowd. The protesters, many of whom were young and unemployed, saw this as their moment to take a stand.
“We want to shut down parliament and every MP should go down and resign,” shouted Davis Tafari, one of the protestors, his voice hoarse but resolute. His words echoed the sentiment of many who felt betrayed by their leaders.
The situation quickly spiralled out of control. Gunfire rang out, and panic set in. The peaceful protest turned into a deadly confrontation. A paramedic on the scene reported at least 50 people injured by gunfire. Tragically, at least five protesters were killed outside parliament.
The scenes were heartbreaking. Families searching for their loved ones, medics rushing to tend to the injured, and the air filled with the acrid smell of smoke and tear gas. It was a stark reminder of the heavy price paid in the fight for justice and accountability.
Across Kenya, similar scenes of protest and violence played out in various cities and towns. The entire nation seemed to be gripped by a wave of unrest. The anger and frustration were not confined to Nairobi but spread like wildfire, consuming the country.
As the sun set on that fateful Tuesday, Kenya was left to grapple with the aftermath of a day that had started with hope for change but ended in tragedy. The flames had been extinguished, but the embers of anger and dissatisfaction still lingered
As the nation mourns the loss of life and begins to heal, the call for accountability and justice remains louder than ever. The events of that day will not be easily forgotten, and they have left an indelible mark on the hearts of many Kenyans.
by Inuka Kenya | Jun 27, 2024 | Press Statements
Inuka Kenya Ni Sisi! Condemns the recent tragic events that have unfolded in our nation. The use of excessive force by the police, including live bullets, tear gas, and rubber bullets against peaceful demonstrators is a blatant violation of human rights and an affront to the principles of democracy and justice.
The peaceful protests on Tuesday, where thousands of Kenyans gathered to voice their opposition to the controversial Finance Bill 2024 in more than 60 towns and cities spread over more than 35 Counties, were met with violent response from the State. The loss of lives, including more than twenty protesters and caregivers who were shot dead, and the hundreds injured, is a tragedy that could and should have been avoided. The killing orgy went into the night with Githurai residents being butchered in large numbers with over 100 shot over 30 of them fatally … one person, we are told had more than 45 bullet wounds!
We unequivocally condemn the actions of the Kenyan police and the deployment of the Kenyan army to suppress citizens exercising their democratic right to protest. The storming of parliament by demonstrators is a sign of Kenyans taking back their sovereignty from frustration and anger at a government prioritizing embezzlement of taxpayers’ hard-earned money and over-taxation at the expense of the common mwananchi.
President William Ruto’s address to the nation, wherein he labelled protesters as criminals and their demonstrations as treasonous acts, is deeply troubling. His speech where he misread the constitution, was marked by a distinct lack of empathy and a tone filled with anger, with a notably cold delivery that failed to address the legitimate concerns raised by protesters and other Kenyans. Such rhetoric only serves to escalate tensions and does not contribute to finding a peaceful and just resolution. We insist that this is an effort to consolidate his dictatorship. The government’s stance is a stark reminder of the urgent need for accountability and reform within our nation’s institutions.
Furthermore, we stand with various media outlets who have faced threats for their coverage of the protests. The media plays a crucial role in holding power to account and informing the public. Any attempts to silence the press are unacceptable and must be vehemently opposed.
In light of these events, we demand the following:
- Immediate Cessation of Violence: The police and military must immediately halt the use of force against peaceful protesters.
- Independent Investigation: A thorough and independent investigation into the deaths and injuries caused by police action must be conducted, and those responsible must be held accountable.
- Protection of Media Freedom: The government must cease its intimidation of the media and ensure the protection of journalists covering the protests.
- Abolition of the Finance Bill: The government must listen to its people and do away with the controversial Finance Bill 2024 that has sparked widespread outrage and protests.
- Constitutional adherence: The government must observe and obey the Constitution in letter and spirit.
- All churches/mosques/religious places must commit not to entertain any politician to speak. If allowed all congregants to move out.
- All media houses to desist from inviting MPs to their stations.
- Kithure Kindiki must give us a list of all shooters and they be arraigned in court or he resigns. Police should not agree to be deployed to kill people.
We call on the international community to stand with the people of Kenya in this critical time and to support efforts to ensure justice, accountability, and the upholding of human rights.
Kenya is a nation built on the ideals of freedom and democracy. It is imperative that we uphold these values and work towards a just and equitable society for all.
Signed
Kawive Wambua
Deputy CEO Inuka Kenya Ni Sisi! Ltd
by Inuka Kenya | Jun 24, 2024 | Articles, Stories
In a disturbing turn of events, our country’s young voices are being silenced through fear and intimidation. Shad Khalif, a vocal critic of the Finance Bill 2024, has gone missing after being abducted from a shopping centre in South B, Nairobi. This isn’t an isolated incident. His abduction on Sunday evening is part of a chilling trend targeting those brave enough to speak out against the proposed taxes.
Shad was followed by a black double-cab pickup and a white Toyota Prado before being forcibly taken by men believed to be plainclothes detectives. His only crime? Exercising his right to protest and opposing a bill that burdens the youth. Shad has been vocal, insisting that the movement against the bill is organic and has no financier or leader. Despite his transparency, he’s been targeted and silenced.
Shockingly, Shad’s abduction follows the release of Dr. Austin Omondi a.k.a Japrado, another protester who was kidnapped and later released under mysterious circumstances. Even more alarming, Attorney General Justine Muturi’s son, Leslie, faced a similar fate. Leslie’s abduction and subsequent release after hours of detention highlight a disturbing pattern: the state is resorting to fear tactics to stifle dissent.
Billy Simani, known to many as Crazy Nairobian, was also recently detained. His release came only after massive public outcry, with over 50,000 Kenyans joining an X Space to demand his freedom. These incidents paint a grim picture of a government more interested in silencing its youth than addressing their legitimate concerns.
The Finance Bill 2024 has sparked nationwide protests, drawing international attention. The youth, bearing the brunt of its punitive measures, have been clear in their stance. Instead of engaging in dialogue, the state has chosen a path of intimidation.
It’s time to call out these cowardly acts. The government must understand that abductions and fear-mongering will not silence the youth. We demand accountability. We demand that our voices be heard without fear of retribution.
As we prepare for more protests this week, culminating in a major demonstration on Tuesday, let this message be clear: the youth will not be silenced. The roads may be blocked, but our resolve is unbreakable. We will continue to speak out until real solutions are found.
To the government: Stop the abductions. Stop the intimidation. Start listening. Our future depends on it.
by Inuka Kenya | Jun 21, 2024 | Press Statements, Stories
The recent protests by Gen Z and Kenyans in general across the country, demanding for the rejection of the Finance Bill 2024, are an exercise of their rights and responsibilities as enshrined in Article 37 of the Constitution of Kenya. This article states that “Every person has the right, peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket, and to present petitions to public authorities.” That they wanted to Occupy Parliament is as a result of a representation failure: their Members of Parliament have failed to listen to them and therefore wanted to exercise their sovereignty, articulated in Article 1, directly.
This is their right. The protestors were also peaceful and orderly. On the Tuesday 18th June protest, police teargassed, violated, brutalized and sought to break up their protests. They further arrested more than 300 persons for ridiculous reasons and levelled frivolous charges on them – holding some of them overnight in dingy cells. The courts rejected these charges. On the Thursday 20th June protests, police lobbed teargas, deployed water cannons, brutalized and violated the protesters throughout the day. Data accessed from the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) indicate that at least 105 people were arrested: 20 in Nairobi, 2 in Garissa, 3 in Kisumu, 4 in Vihiga, 4 in Narok, 70 in Uasin Gishu (Eldoret) and 2 in Nakuru.
Another 200 individuals sustained injuries in Nairobi and Kisumu, ranging from fractures, and soft tissue injuries to severe rubber bullet wounds and tear gas inhalation. Furthermore, the confirmation of live shootings verified by spent cartridges points to negligence and unlawful action on the part of the police. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) who has the overall command responsibility, has not taken any action – a pointer that he gave those orders and therefore supports the brutalisation of Kenyans by rogue officers.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), which monitors and oversees the conduct of police officers has not done anything substantive as Kenyans suffer police brutality. We note that the recent IPOA statement on police conduct during the Finance Bill 2024 demonstrations [Ref. No. IPOA/CEO/PRESS/19 (25)] reveals a troubling pattern of systemic negligence and failure to uphold their mandate. Despite IPOA’s acknowledgement of Mr Rex Masai’s tragic death and numerous severe injuries during these protests, their response appears grossly inadequate. IPOA’s cursory call for restraint and vague commitments to impartiality starkly contrast with the harrowing realities on the ground. This discrepancy underscores a significant lapse in proactive monitoring, timely intervention, and rigorous accountability measures, which are fundamental to IPOA’s role. IPOA’s response remains tepid, reflecting a worrying complacency. This negligence not only betrays public trust but also perpetuates a culture of impunity within the police force. IPOA must urgently reassess its strategies, enhance its responsiveness, and enforce accountability to serve and protect the public interest truly.
In the evening of 20th June 2024 in Nairobi, a police officer was captured on video shooting a protester who was fleeing from tear gas. The protester, 29-year-old Rex Kanyike Masai, died from the gunshot wound. This was an execution – an insidious manifestation of extra-judicial killing. We demand justice for Rex Kanyike Masai. He was shot with a live bullet by an officer to whom he posed no threat. Section 61 (2) and Schedule Six of the National Police Service Act gives clear guidelines on when a police officer should use a firearm. None of these circumstances was obtaining. As such the officer has committed a crime and must be held accountable for it.
We demand that
- Japheth Koome, the IGP, must produce the killer officer and that the Directorate of Criminal Investigation charges him formally in a court of law for this crime. Failure to do so means that he has failed in his sworn duty and must resign immediately.
- IPOA must ensure that all other officers who have lobbed teargas, water cannons and/or violated the protesters in any other way are arrested and charged appropriately. If it is not able to do this, it should be disbanded forthwith.
Signed:
Kawive, Wambua,
Deputy Executive Officer,
Inuka Kenya Ni Sisi!
