Day Kenya Kwanza leaders were forced to eat their own words

National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah (centre) dances during a church service in Nairagie Enkare, Narok East. [File, Standard]

As Sir Albert Einstein once said politics is more difficult than physics.

It is hard to find a counter-argument, especially in the Kenyan political arena today where leaders and their ability to stay true to their words has proven elusive.

However, occasionally, events occur seemingly by a cruel twist of fate, forcing several leaders to bow their heads in shame as their own words are used to crucify them.

The recent wave of protest by Generation Z over the Finance Bill, 2024, has seen the leaders eating their own words.

On June 22, the National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, dismissed the “Occupy Parliament” protest against the Finance Bill 2024, saying it as a movement led by privileged urbanites in Nairobi.

“The youth you see protesting in Nairobi with iPhones, they call themselves Gen Z, they come to the demonstrations in Uber, afterwards they go to KFC and eat chicken…,” Ichung’wah said.

However, last Sunday when addressing a church congregation in Narok County, the Kikuyu MP hailed Gen Z and Millennials as protesters promoting a forward-thinking approach to issues of national importance.

The vocal Kenya Kwanza leader was supporting the protests against the controversial Tax Bill that he was at the forefront of ensuring that it sailed through the second reading in the National Assembly.

“The emergence of Gen Z as a force in advocacy and governance has shown a remarkable shift towards unity and inclusivity, transcending ethnic and tribal barriers that have long divided us. This new generation exemplifies a forward-thinking approach, prioritising common goals and shared values,” Ichung’wah stated.

Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi is another leader who has a change of heart over the protests.

In a public gathering at the weekend, Sudi said he was impressed by the young people’s determination.