Kenya has ignited a continent-wide revolution, with its youth leading the charge for accountability, clarity, and greater inclusion in governance.
Over the past three weeks, this spirit of rebellion has spread from Nairobi to Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, and Tanzania, reminiscent of the Pan-African movements that once fought for independence from colonial powers.
Context: Africa, home to the world’s youngest population, is witnessing a surge in protest movements. Seventy per cent of the continent’s population is under 30, and these young voices are demanding change.
The #EndSARS protests in Nigeria, the #FeesMustFall movement in South Africa, and now the #RejectFinanceBill2024 protests in Kenya all share a common thread: the youth leading the charge, organising, chanting, marching, and influencing change in governance.
On Tuesday, June 25, Kenyan youths took to the streets in unprecedented numbers to reject President William Ruto’s Finance Bill 2024. This mobilisation, driven by Gen Z and other young Kenyans, forced the government to reconsider several unpopular tax proposals.
What began as a social media outcry on TikTok swiftly transformed into a full-blown revolt, unaffiliated with any political party.
A protestor with a bicycle tyre around his body during protests in Ong’ata Rongai, June 27.
Photo
Godson Salman
Hundreds of young protesters, clad in trainers and armed with smartphones, faced tear gas and police confrontations in many parts of Kenya. They live-streamed these intense moments, showcasing their resilience and determination to a global audience.
The government, under President Ruto, achieved what generations of Kenyan politicians could not: uniting citizens beyond ethnic and party lines.
Following three tumultuous days of protests over a two-week period, culminating in a dramatic breach of Parliament Buildings, demonstrators succeeded in prompting President Ruto to concede and refer the contentious Finance Bill back to Parliament.
This achievement has reverberated across the continent, emboldening youth movements from Ghana, grappling with financial constraints exacerbated by loans, to Nigeria, where recent contentious elections have spurred calls for comprehensive reforms.
In Nigeria, posters have emerged demanding an end to anti-people policies, over-taxation, and electoral reform following contentious general elections in 2023.
Under the banner ‘We Are Not Slaves’, Nigerians have called for ten days of protest, scheduled from August 1 to August 10, with demonstrations planned nationwide.
A picture of a police officer firing a tear gas cannister at protestors in Ongata Rongai.
Photo
Godson Salman
The posters outline 12 specific demands, including ending subsidy scams, reducing fuel prices to below N300 per litre, reverting tertiary education fees to previous rates by reversing subsidies and restoring affordable electricity tariffs.
Additionally, there are calls to return import duties to previous levels and to publicly disclose and reduce the salaries and allowances of Senators, House of Representatives members, and the Speaker.
Protestors are also advocating for the establishment of an emergency fund to support SMEs, ensuring the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from the executive branch, transparent processes for appointing its chairman, and legislation mandating INEC to electronically transmit live electoral results.
Other demands include reopening borders with neighbouring states following a military coup in Niger, declaring a state of emergency on inflation, and reforming the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) responsible for combating corruption.
In tweets seen by Kenyans.co.ke, Nigerian youth have praised the turnaround of Kenya’s government, citing the bravery of the youth in demanding change.
In Ghana, similar protests are slated for September 21-23. Amidst its severest economic crisis in decades, Ghana witnessed the #OccupyJulorHouse protests last September, led by hundreds of young demonstrators. Attempts to approach Jubilee House, the presidential seat in Accra, were met with roadblocks and arrests by police.
The nation, rich in gold, oil, and cocoa, had secured a $3 billion, three-year loan from the International Monetary Fund. Critics argue previous programmes failed to address the cost-of-living crisis due to corruption and mismanagement, prompting a cabinet reshuffle that replaced Ghana’s finance minister six months after the protests.
Indeed, Ghanaian protests have begun, albeit toned down. The young leaders took to the streets, mobilising others to join them in a movement that intends to inspire change across the West African nation.
In Tanzania, citizens have awakened to the realisation that some of the taxes protested in Kenya were legislated in the previous financial year, prompting a majority to seek explanations from their legislators. This dialogue underscores a growing awareness and engagement among Tanzanians on fiscal policies affecting their lives.
President William Ruto assented to the Appropriations Bill 2024 at State House Nairobi.
William Ruto
Bigger Picture: The momentum from Kenya’s protests has undoubtedly stirred a desire for greater transparency and accountability across the region. Impressed by the targeting of key macroeconomic policies, political commentators worldwide have applauded the approach taken by Kenya’s Gen Z.
While the outcomes of these movements remain uncertain, their impact is undeniable. Kenyan leaders are increasingly uneasy as the youth rally against corruption.
According to Monique Nsanzabaganwa, the African Union’s Deputy Chair, Africa loses $140 billion to corruption annually—an undeclared ‘pandemic’ that dwarfs even the most ambitious infrastructure projects. This staggering amount could build 28 dams like Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam or eradicate hunger across the continent 28 times over, according to United Nations estimates.
The technology-driven connectivity of today’s world has brought previously untouchable figures under scrutiny. Lives and misdeeds are now exposed with a single search, empowering the youth to demand better governance.
Kenya’s youth-led protests have set a precedent, demonstrating that collective action can force governments to listen.
A man riding a bicycle around the protests, June 27.
Photo
Godson Salman
Source link : https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/102420-pan-african-spirit-reborn-kenyas-youth-led-revolt-inspires-african-youths
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Publish date : 2024-07-06 13:09:48
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