By JULIUS MBALUTO
Kenyans and especially Gen Z movement mourn the shooting of one of their won, a Kenyan whose crime was to go and protest against the controversial Finance Bill 2024. For the first time in Kenya's history, we have seen peaceful protests across Kenya which if the police went there to protect the protesters all would end as peaceful as it started. The Gen Z protesters have in many occasions reminded the police that they are peaceful and as well, they are protesting against the Finance Bill 2024.
However, that didn't stop the police from firing teargas and throwing teargas canisters against them. Worse still, the police used live bullets and ended the life of a young man known as Rex Masai whose only crime was to exercise his right to protest. The police must know that the Kenyan constitution guarantees the freedom to protest. They are therefore not allowed to beat, teargas and kill any Kenyan while they are protesting.
Most of the issues Gen Z are protesting against directly affect the police too. If they get confused to serve the interests of a regime out to oppress Kenyans, one day shall come when they will remember the words of Pastor Martin Niemoller who was a Nazi supporter during holocaust but changed later when it was his turn to face the injustice perpetrated to others during the holocaust.
First they came for the Communists and I did not speak out, because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the Socialists and I did not speak out because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me!
Kenyans have a right to protest against any form of injustice they see. No police officer should shoot them when they do so. Gen Z movement has chosen not to wait for someone to speak for them. They know well like in the case of Pastor Martin Niemoller that if they wait, there might not be anyone left to speak for them. Gen Z Protesters want to be the change they wish to see. Political parties have failed them, MPs have sold them to them deep state, the political system in its entirely gives no hope for the future. The future belongs to the youth. They are not your enemies. Listen to them and don't kill them.
