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.