The success of the #rejectfinancebill2024 came with some unforeseen outcomes. The movement, led mostly by the youth and members of Gen Z, was one of the most successful protests we have seen in our country's history. The youth banded together on social media platforms, took their grievances to the street, and within a week, the President had given in to their demands.
The reasons behind the success of the youth protests can be summarised in two main attributes: that the people were backed into a corner and had nothing left to lose, and that it was a group of people that spoke in one fearless voice. A voice that was hard to silence.
By ‘conceding’ and pretending to be ready for dialogue, President William Ruto managed to sabotage the revolution with one arrow. He made it seem that the people were no longer backed into the corner of helplessness by overtaxation. He also created a divide between a once solid group when he requested to speak to the ‘leaders’ or representatives of the movement.
Ruto might not get the concept of this contemporary leaderless revolution style, or he employed the old colonial method of divide and rule. Whether intended or not, we can clearly see that a rift has been created within the revolution.
We saw the kimbelembles who saw this as an opportunity to make a name for themselves make a statement as the leaders of the revolution. Whose leaders? The youth do not recognise you. The movement does not recognise you and I do not recognise you as my leader. A leaderless movement is unique and powerful, but because it is uncommon, it is hard for many people of the older generation to comprehend. However, if we stick to moving as one with clear goals that have been agreed to by the people, then we are a formidable force that can achieve anything.
However, the movement has been divided and ‘poisoned’ as we turn against each other, accusing each other of being sellouts. As such, the energy we needed to continue the long fight has been weakened. There might be sellouts as, unfortunately, human nature is inherently weak. Some people are easily swayed by promises of individual accomplishments.
If I may remind everyone, that is how we ended up here in the first place. For decades now, elected persons and governmental posts have been used as a means to enrich individuals rather than creating prosperity for the country. We voted for people because of their rags-to-riches stories, knowing very well they are thieves. We voted for incompetent persons because of their backgrounds, likeability or even handsomeness. We voted for people based on their incomprehensible manifestos.
As we turn back the clock of time and set things right once more, I urge the youth to consider eradicating everything the elder generations set as precedent. Voting on the basis of tribe. Entering into public office for the intention of serving one’s own agendas and not serving the community. Electing presidents with undeclared and unvetted sources of wealth. We have to do away with all of these ideas if we really want a government that serves its people first.
To do that, we must implore every young person or every Kenyan who wishes to see a new image of Kenya to stop thinking about their own agendas. We need to tell those who are called into ‘meetings’ to stop believing that their ideas represent the majority. And we need to stop selling each other out for personal gain. United we stand, divided we fall.