25/12/2024
6 MONTHS IN KENYAN POLITICS - a reflection
Today marks exactly six months since Gen Z invaded parliament. The 25th day of June 2024 will remain indelible in the memories of many Kenyans. The young population in our country, in an unanticipated manner, demonstrated across the country demanding the withdrawal of the finance bill. When the parliament hurriedly passed the bill, hell broke loose.MNAs who were in parliament and who have spoken have confirmed that they were scared to death.
The president on the night of the protest gave a speech that depicted defeat or a lack of understanding of the issues on the ground! He later returned the bill to parliament prescribing that all clauses be deleted. Six months later we have a broad-based government, bringing together the opposition and even cabinet members of the previous regime in government. Today, the opposition leader is the country’s candidate for AU chairmanship and with the full backing of the government. We have a new deputy president and the former one is now a sharp critic of a government he once protected strongly.
The question that begs today, is, has the issue of Gen Z been sorted?
The festivities that precede Christmas and the New Year may make our problems look smaller, but the mighty January is on its way. Today as we celebrate the birth of Christ, the church is not reading the script of the political class. Donations from the government are being rejected. The internet is full of rebellion, young people posting obscene AI-generated images, and cartoons to mock the presidency. The government on the other hand, through its agencies is busy arresting and detaining them without trial. The government bloggers are busy online defending their employers!
What lies ahead?
Will the government manage to arrest all its critics?
Is another public rage in the pipeline?
What next for the Kenya Kwanza administration?
How will all this affect the economy?
Merry Xmas and a happy new year!