Kenya Protest: Concert Honours Fallen Protesters, Calls for Change

A concert in Nairobi, Kenya, gathered hundreds to commemorate the lives lost during recent protests against proposed tax increases.

The demonstrations, which began on June 18, resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 39 individuals. T

he event, held at Uhuru Park, featured local artists and drew a youthful crowd displaying placards with messages like “RIP Comrades” and “We promise we’ll keep fighting”.

Chants of “Ruto must go” echoed through the park, alongside symbolic acts such as planting crosses in the ground.

Boniface Mwangi, an activist in attendance, reflected on the mixed emotions of the gathering, stating, “The government is listening now because of the protests. So we are kind of happy, but there’s also a lot of sadness because so many people died for the government to listen. So we’re also mourning, and we’re telling the families of those who lost their loved ones, ‘We’re with you, and we shall honour their sacrifice.'”

The concert, coinciding with Saba Saba Day, which commemorates the 1990 protests that catalyzed Kenya’s shift to multi-party politics, symbolized a renewed call for change amidst recent unrest.

The protests, marked by clashes with police using tear gas and water cannons, prompted President William Ruto to revoke a finance bill that would have introduced significant new taxes.

In response to mounting pressure, Ruto also proposed austerity measures aimed at addressing budget shortfalls caused by the abandoned tax hikes.

“We believe these changes will set our country on a trajectory towards economic transformation,” President Ruto commented on the proposed reforms.

The demonstrations underscored widespread public concern over the cost of living in Kenya, prompting a significant response from both the government and civil society alike.

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