Comedian Eric Omondi has announced that he will lead a parallel Mashujaa Day event to honour the victims of the anti-Finance Bill 2024.
This
year's Mashujaa Day celebrations will be hosted in Kwale County on October 20, at
the newly constructed Stadium in Matuga sub-county.
In a statement on X, Eric Omondi said the parallel
event will be done to celebrate the fallen victims of the anti-Finance Bill 2024.
“On October 20 as "they"
celebrate Mashujaa Day, we will also host a mega event to celebrate our heroes!!!
Our Shujaa’s,” he said.
Omondi further asked Kenyans to
suggest a venue where the parallel event will take place, adding that the family
of the victims will be present.
“It is official we will be hosting a parallel
Mashujaa Day mega event on October 20 to celebrate our shujaas who died during
the protests. Please suggest a suitable venue ndio tui book leo. We will have
the parents and families of the heroes seated on the main dias as chief guests,”
the statement reads.
Kenyans across
the country took to the streets for over two months to protest against the Finance Bill 2024.
There were
running battles between the protesters and the police as they lobbed teargas to
disperse them.
They carried placards and lit bonfires in the streets of different cities as they chanted songs. The Gen Zs came out to protest in a bid to push for change in government and governance.
The protests left many young Kenyans dead as others nursed severe injuries. Omondi said the concert will be held to commemorate those who died during the protests.
This
is even as the President will be expected to lead Kenyans in celebrating
Mashujaa Day.
Mashujaa Day, also known as Heroes' Day ("mashujaa" is Swahili for "heroes"), is a national day observed on October 20 as a public holiday to collectively honour all those who contributed to the struggle for Kenya's independence or positively contributed to the post-independence Kenya.