By Francis Kioko
June 24/2024
Gen-Z activists have occupied churches across Kenya today, Sunday, in a bold move to prevent politicians from using pulpits for political grandstanding. This initiative comes as a reaction to growing frustration over Kenyan MPs’ support for a highly controversial finance bill, which has faced widespread opposition from the public.
The youthful demonstrators have staged radical protests in major towns, voicing their displeasure with the finance bill and the politicians who endorsed it. Today’s church occupations are part of a broader campaign to reclaim public spaces from political manipulation, ensuring that places of worship remain sanctuaries free from political agendas.
“We are here to protect the sanctity of our churches,” said one Gen-Z protester in Nairobi. “Politicians have turned our places of worship into platforms for spreading lies and promoting their selfish interests. We will not stand for this any longer.”
In this week , MPs and government officials have faced increasing hostility at public events, with some being booed and ejected for ignoring the citizens’ calls to halt the finance bill. Today’s actions represent a significant escalation in the Gen-Z movement’s tactics, demonstrating their determination to hold elected officials accountable.
Despite facing arrests and detentions, Gen-Z influencers remain undeterred. Several prominent figures have been held incommunicado, but the movement’s resolve appears unshaken. They have announced plans for a major demonstration on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, pledging that no amount of police force, including gunshots or water cannons, will deter them from their mission to “save Kenya.”
The hashtags #RejectRuto and #RejectFinanceBill have gained traction on social media, amplifying the movement’s message and rallying support from across the nation. The activists argue that the finance bill, which includes measures widely seen as detrimental to the economic well-being of ordinary Kenyans, represents a betrayal by the political class.
Opposition leaders, including Wiper party boss Kalonzo Musyoka, have voiced their support for the Gen-Z activists. Musyoka has urged the police to refrain from using live ammunition against protesters, emphasizing the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and picketing as enshrined in Article 37 of the Kenyan Constitution.
“The youth are exercising their democratic rights,” Musyoka said in a statement. “The government must respect these rights and engage with the citizens’ legitimate concerns instead of resorting to violence.”
As Kenya braces for the planned demonstrations, the Gen-Z movement’s actions today underscore a broader generational demand for accountability and transparency in governance. With their eyes firmly set on systemic change, these young activists are shaping up to be a formidable force in Kenya’s socio-political landscape.
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