Former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana has advised the government not to underrate the youth as they take the frontline in agitating for change.
Kibwana’s advice came on a day that witnessed youthful Kenyans take charge of the Occupy Parliament protests on Tuesday to demonstrate against ‘punitive’ tax proposals in the Finance Bill, 2024.
Armed with nothing but phones and sheer determination to be heard, the Gen Z’s engaged police in running battles as they sought to make their way to Parliament Buildings ahead of the tabling of the report on the Bill by the Finance Committee.
When police answered their unshaken resolve with tear gas canisters, they were more than ready with water bottles to wash off the burning chemicals off their eyes and marched on.
“The most dangerous thing for a government to do is to declare war on its youth,” Kibwana warned.
In a statement on X, the seasoned politician recalled the single-party era where pro-democracy protests were largely led by university students, an effort that eventually culminated in multiparty democracy in 1992 and the promulgation of a new Constitution almost two decades later.
“In the 90s majority of those who fought for a new constitution were young persons led by civil society and political opposition. Today Gen Z are on the front line. Government must dialogue with them,” Kibwana said.
Days before Tuesday’s protests, youths made a rallying call on social media using the hashtag #OccupyParliament urging Kenyans to turn up in numbers for the protests.
News that the government had made concessions and dropped some of the contentious clauses in the Bill did little to dampen their spirits as some termed the move a smoke screen.
They said the removal of the proposed 16 per cent VAT on things like bread while increasing taxes on other equally basic imported commodities was typical of a government that wants to give with one hand and take with the other.
The government said it had listened to Kenyans and dropped the proposed VAT on bread, transportation of sugarcane, financial services and foreign exchange transactions, Excise duty on vegetable oil and 2.5 per cent Motor Vehicle Tax has was dropped.
“Consequently, locally manufactured products, including sanitary towels, diapers, phones, computers, tyres and motorcycles, will not attract the Eco Levy,” Finance Committee chairman Kimani Kuria said.
But the young protesters could hear none of it.
“Msikubali hiyo maneno, your voice must be heard,” a group said on a recorded video message posted on TikTok.
“I have exercised my right! I’m going to get painkillers then head back to work because I’m here slaving for a country I love. See you in the streets again!” another youthful protester said in a video message on X.
All these as dozens of other protesters were rounded up and arrested by police for taking part in the protests.
Almost simultaneously, a group of youthful lawyers stormed the Central police station demanding an audience with the OCS as they sought to bail out the arrested protesters.
As late as 5 pm, the Gen Z were still roaming the streets with placards to show their displeasure with the proposed taxes.
Alinur Mohamed, a regular commentator on social issues on X made an observation about the new class of protesters.
“I haven’t seen any destruction of public [or] private property by the protesters or any stone throwing. A police officer from Central Police Station in a few minutes ago said, ‘hii si ya kawaida!’.