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!
by Inuka Kenya | Jun 20, 2024 | Articles, Stories
The rise of #OccupyParliament has marked a new chapter in Kenya’s history, as social media platforms like Twitter and TikTok dominate the conversation, amplifying the voices of young people across the nation. From the bustling streets of Nairobi to the quiet towns of Kisii, the youth have united in a powerful movement, challenging President Ruto’s punitive tax proposal on the Finance Bill 2024. This wave of protest, unprecedented in its scope and intensity, has lit a beacon of resistance, illuminating the frustration and determination of a generation.
In the heart of Nairobi, the capital, anti-riot police, some mounted on horseback, responded to the peaceful demonstrations with tear gas, Protesters chanting “Ruto must go!” and “Yote Ya Wezekana Bila Ruto.” The scene was echoed in cities and towns from Nakuru to Nyeri, Mombasa to Eldoret, Embu to Meru, Kericho to Kisii, and Kisumu, as the youth expressed their collective outrage against the oppressive finance bill.
Eldoret, President Ruto’s backyard, witnessed an extraordinary sight as hundreds marched, placards held high, demanding justice. In Nyeri, the air vibrated with the anger and frustration of young Kenyans, weary of the government’s relentless tax measures. “Tumechoka,” cried the youth in Kisii, their voices a testament to a generation’s discontent.
This uprising is unlike any other in Kenya’s history. It is a movement driven predominantly by the youth, determined to reclaim their future. Kiprono Mary, a 24-year-old protester in Nairobi, said, “I dropped out of college as my parents couldn’t afford my education. I’m hustling to go back and now you want to take the little I make and make me not even buy sanitary pads?”
Despite the peaceful nature of these protests, the response from law enforcement has been excessively harsh. Human rights groups including Inuka Kenya Ni Sisi Ltd! and lawyers have condemned the police’s brutality, citing hundreds of arrests and the unwarranted use of force against peaceful demonstrators. These young protesters were only exercising their rights under Chapter One, Article One of the Constitution: “All the sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya.”
As the protests raged on, the youth felt a deep sense of betrayal by their Members Of Parliament as 204 members voted ‘YES’ to the finance bill, while only 115 stood against it. The young people, feeling abandoned by their MPs, have vowed to ignite change from the grassroots level.
The message is clear: the future belongs to those who stand up and fight for it.
by Inuka Kenya | Jun 18, 2024 | Stories
Today, June 18, 2024, the heart of Nairobi beat with the footsteps of hundreds of determined Kenyans, clad in black, marching towards parliament. They came together in a powerful display of unity against President William Ruto’s proposed tax hikes. From millennials to Gen Zs, from men to the humble Mama Mboga, the streets echoed with their collective cry: “Hatuki hii Finance Bill.”
As the crowds gathered in Nairobi’s bustling business district, the message was clear. Signs waved high with the words “Do not force the taxes on us” and chants of discontent reverberated through the air. Among them was 29-year-old Rara Eisa, who captured the sentiment of many when she said, “I am tired. The prices of everything have gone up, life is no longer affordable
Despite the peaceful nature of the protest, the response from the authorities was swift and severe. Police officers lobbed tear gas into the crowds, dispersing the demonstrators and arresting at least a dozen. The scenes of chaos and the sight of black-clad youth fleeing the gas clouds highlighted the stark contrast between the citizens’ peaceful intentions and the government’s heavy-handed approach.
The protest, dubbed “Occupy Parliament,” was a coordinated effort, sparked by an activist’s leak of MPs’ contact details. This call to action urged citizens to bombard their representatives with calls and messages, demanding they shoot down the proposed Finance Bill 2024. The bill includes contentious provisions like a 2.5 per cent motor vehicle tax and the reintroduction of VAT on bread and other essential commodities that would increase the cost of living.
President Ruto ascended to power in 2022 with promises to revive the economy and uplift the hustlers. His policies, including increased income tax, higher health insurance contributions, and doubled VAT on petroleum products, have drawn sharp criticism. Analysts warn that these measures could stifle consumption and hurt the economy, but with a strong parliamentary majority, the bill is likely to pass.
However, the voices of the people cannot be ignored. Today’s protest was a testament to the power of unity and the will of the younger generations to fight for a better future. The sight of mama mbogas standing shoulder to shoulder with youth and professionals sent a clear message: the people of Kenya demand a government that listens to its citizens and addresses their concerns with empathy and fairness.
As parliament prepares to debate the final version of the bill before the June 30 deadline, today’s events serve as a stark reminder of the growing discontent within the nation. The people of Kenya have spoken, and their message is one of resistance against policies that threaten their livelihoods.
The protest highlighted a significant shift in the political landscape, with millennials and Gen Zs stepping up to take a stand. Their participation signals a new era of activism, where the younger generation is more engaged and ready to challenge the status quo. The energy and determination of these young Kenyans were palpable, transforming what could have been a routine day in the city into a powerful movement for change.
In the coming days, the government’s response will be critical. Will they continue to ignore the cries of their citizens, or will they engage in meaningful dialogue to address the economic hardships that so many are facing? The nation watches and waits, hoping for a resolution that acknowledges the struggles of its people and prioritizes their well-being.
by Inuka Kenya | Jun 7, 2024 | Articles, Stories
Have you ever felt the ground shake beneath your feet, not from an earthquake, but from the force of injustice? That’s the reality for many Mathare, Majengo, Korogocho, Kariobangi, and Ruaraka residents in Kenya. Imagine waking up one day to find bulldozers tearing down your home, your sanctuary, leaving you homeless and hopeless. This is the harsh truth facing countless families in our country today.
It’s a tale of two cities, where the affluent live in luxury while the poor struggle to survive. In places like Runda, where the streets are lined with mansions, the government turns a blind eye to illegal encroachments on riparian land. But in Mathare, where poverty reigns supreme, residents are forcibly evicted from their humble abodes without a second thought.
The recent floods in Kenya have only exacerbated this divide. While homes in affluent neighbourhoods like Runda remain untouched, the poor in Mathare are left to fend for themselves in flooded shacks. It’s not just nature’s wrath that they’re battling; it’s corruption and impunity that have worsened their plight.
Imagine being promised relocation funds after being evicted, only to see those funds vanish into thin air while the president spends millions on lavish trips abroad. The anger and frustration are palpable, as residents demand accountability and justice for their shattered lives.
But amidst the chaos and despair, there is a glimmer of hope. The community is coming together to demand change. They’re calling for fair and humane eviction procedures, proper resettlement plans, and accountability for the lives lost and livelihoods destroyed.
It’s time for the government to listen. Why are they turning a blind eye to illegal structures in wealthy neighbourhoods while demolishing homes in poor ones? Is it because the rich have more power and influence? Is it because they value wealth over human lives?
We cannot sit idly by and watch as our fellow citizens suffer. We must stand together and demand justice for all. It’s time for the government to prioritize the needs of the people over the interests of the elite. It’s time for them to implement humane interventions and ensure that no one is left behind in times of crisis.
So let’s raise our voices and demand change. Let’s hold our leaders accountable and fight for a future where every Kenyan can live with dignity and respect. It’s not just about buildings being demolished; it’s about the lives and dreams that are being crushed in the process. And together, we can make a difference.
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