'Baddie' and other maandamano lingo

A protester smokes from a modified can. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Welcome to Kenya, where citizens often turn to humour despite facing numerous challenges. Kenyans always find a way to make light of situations through memes and sarcastic tweets.

The ongoing #rejectfinancebill2024 protests have been infused with humour, even amidst the serious agenda. Gen Z initiated the protests on June 18. What started as a social media outcry, which quickly escalated into physical marches in various towns and cities across Kenya. Protesters donned specific outfits and led peaceful demonstrations armed with only their smartphones and creative placards.

As stylish as they appeared, the content on their placards was sarcastic, amusing, and straight to the point. They included messages such as: "Mheshimiwa unafuliza na my future!" "Zakayo Shuka," "Umetenga Uwongo Bilioni Moja," "Release Young Thug...Take Ruto instead," "Akili ni Nywele Serikali ni Kipara," and "Kumbe Gen Z ndio dawa ya Washen Z." These comical sentiments were displayed on placards and even printed on T-shirts, attracting hundreds of young people.

Kenyan social media platforms were flooded with funny memes about the protests. Creative users shared old clips of President William Ruto criticising the previous government for over-taxation and highlighting his campaign promises. Others circulated videos of protesters throwing teargas canisters back at the police, alongside pictures and videos from Parliament. These memes painted a clear picture of the current events in Kenya.

Slang has proven to be key in communicating with people and promoting cultural relevance. The slang people use reflects their societal setup and culture, providing insight into their experiences and mindset. It captures the spirit and values of the community, keeping the language current in response to events, trends, and cultural shifts.

In Kenya, the impact of slang is evident as people express their discontent with the government's Finance Bill through phrases like "Mayai ni expensive kuliko kuku" or "maji ni expensive kuliko karai," highlighting the high cost of living. Slang allows for expressiveness, conveying irony, sarcasm, humour, and empathy in ways formal language often cannot. It helps people express their opinions without seeming offensive or inappropriate.

The memes and slang-based comments on the placards demonstrate this idea, with examples like Senator Edwin Sifuna's quote: "How do you teargas a baddie?". Slang also fosters social bonding, creating a sense of belonging and identity among those who share common ground.

During the protests, groups of Gen Zs and Millennials wore T-shirts branded "Rong Rende rejects." Others donned T-shirts with slogans like "Sponsored by Jacob Juma and enemies of thieves and killers," and carried water bottles branded "The WokeMajiMajiRebellion." These slang sentiments represented different ideas and groups but united in their cause of rejecting the Finance Bill 2024.

Even those unfamiliar with Wakadinali or the late Jacob Juma gained an understanding of their significance through these protests. Slang was used to foster a sense of unity, community, and camaraderie.