Hundreds of Kenyans gathered in Nairobi’s Uhuru Park for a poignant concert commemorating the victims of recent anti-government protests. The event, held on Saba Saba Day, honored at least 39 people killed during demonstrations that began on June 18, sparked by planned tax hikes and calls for President William Ruto’s resignation.
The concert, featuring local artists, saw attendees holding placards with messages like “RIP Comrades” and “We promise we’ll keep fighting.” The crowd chanted “Ruto must go” while some participants hammered crosses into the ground, symbolizing the lives lost during the unrest.
Activist Boniface Mwangi, present at the event, expressed mixed emotions: “The government is listening now because of the protests. So we’re kind of happy, but there’s also a lot of sadness because so many people died for the government to listen.” He emphasized the importance of standing with the families of those who lost their lives.
The significance of Saba Saba Day adds historical context to the gathering. The date marks the beginning of protests in 1990 that ultimately forced the government of Daniel arap Moi to reintroduce multi-party politics in Kenya.
Recent weeks have seen intense clashes between protesters and police, with authorities using tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds. The police reported arresting over 270 individuals suspected of criminal activities during the rallies.
In response to mounting pressure, President Ruto scrapped a controversial finance bill that would have introduced new taxes, which critics argued would have further increased the cost of living. On Friday, he proposed additional austerity measures, including reducing the number of his advisers and dissolving 47 state corporations, aimed at addressing the budget gap created by withdrawing the tax hikes.
Ruto expressed optimism about these changes, stating, “I believe these changes will set our country on a trajectory towards economic transformation.” However, the concert and ongoing tensions highlight the deep-seated concerns many Kenyans have about the country’s economic and political direction.
As Kenya grapples with these challenges, the commemorative concert serves as both a tribute to those who lost their lives and a reminder of the ongoing struggle for economic justice and political accountability in the nation.
Source: aljazeera.com
