CNN International Correspondent Larry Madowo now says that the courage Gen Zs displayed in Tuesday's anti-Finance Bill protests in Nairobi is inspiring.
In a statement on Wednesday, the journalist said he was proud of the Gen Zs who were fighting for their freedoms online and offline.
He said their conviction stand against the Finance Bill is close to a revolution.
"I stan fearless Kenyan Gen Z baddies fighting for their freedoms online and offline. Your courage and conviction is inspiring. It’s giving revolution. We are led," Madowo said on X.
His remarks come after 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.
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 sugar, financial services and foreign exchange transactions, Excise duty on vegetable oil and 2.5 per cent Motor Vehicle Tax has was dropped.
