Calm prevails as Generation Z remembers fallen protestors

Youths gathered at Nairobi's Uhuru Park for Saba Saba Memorial concert on Sunday, 07, July 2023. [Samson Wire, Standard]

Calm prevailed in many parts of the country yesterday despite fears of violent protests.

However, in Mombasa, Saba Saba Day was commemorated in style by the youths who lit five candles in remembrance of the protesters who died during the Gen Z demonstrations last week.

According to the youths, at least five people died under different circumstances as Gen Z staged protests against the controversial Finance Bill. President William Ruto was compelled to drop the Bill following public pressure.

Among those remembered include three victims who died from bullet wounds while one was stabbed to death. Emmanuel Tata was choked to death by tear gas lobbied at the protesters by the police.

The youths who first converged at Uhuru Gardens along Moi Avenue held prayers before lighting five candles.

As the youths were praying, armed police officers sat outside the Uhuru Garden while others patrolled the town monitoring their movement.

A spot check in Western and Nyanza showed people going about their routine activities uninterrupted.

“There were fears earlier that being Saba Saba Day, youths would pour into the streets again protesting against the government excesses, but as you can see, it is calm everywhere,” said Faith Akoth, a trader operating in Kakamega town.

Kakamega was among towns that witnessed massive looting and wanton destruction of property last week after goons infiltrated peaceful Gen Z demonstrations.

“I opted to stay away from town because I feared the youth would turn up again and cause mayhem,” said Lucas Obede from Lurambi sub-county.

In Busia, activities went on uninterrupted with traders going about their activities as usual.

Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi challenged President William Ruto to show political goodwill on Saba Saba Day by doing what Gen Z has been pushing him to implement and sign the IEBC Bill into law.

Osotsi said several by-elections across the country have not taken place.“We have a by-election in Kakamega where a member of the County Assembly of Kisa East died and the people have been left without representation, we also have two by-elections involving two MPs but the mini-polls cannot go on because the IEBC is not in place. We are demanding you move with speed and unlock this stalemate because going against the law is not the spirit of Saba Saba, which advocates for good governance and independence of the people through representation,” said Osotsi.

Gen Z youth kept off the streets in most parts of Nyanza even as leaders from the region called on them to stop destroying property.

There were no activities in Kisii, Migori, Kisumu and Homa Bay, areas that reported violent protests on Tuesday and Thursday last week.

Kisii Governor Simba Arati and his Homa Bay counterpart Gladys Wanga had earlier called on the youth to restrain themselves from destroying properties.

"We need to restrain ourselves from destruction. The looting of shops is uncalled for, let us uphold the law even as we protest for our rights," Arati said.

[Benard Lusigi, Kakamega, Eric Abuga, Willis Oketch]