In Kenya, this Thursday, June 20, was a historic day of mobilization for the “Occupy Parliament” movement against the 2024 finance law. Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched through the streets of the country’s main cities to protest against new taxes, particularly on basic products.
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With our correspondent in Nairobi, Gaëlle Laleix
Despite the violent repression of the first day of protest on Tuesday, the demonstrators were much more numerous this Thursday, June 20. From the morning, the center of Nairobi was cordoned off by the police. In the processions, young people came to express their rejection of the president’s government William Ruto. Their slogan: Ruto must go. “ I just gave birth and I’m here. I fight for my child. She wants to eat cake too, and not just bread. We want to eat as well as those who govern us. MPs spend thirteen billion on their meals. They give their wives wallets when we don’t have vaccines for our children. As long as they are corrupt, there is no point in raising more taxes », indignant Emmy, 23 years old.
For Andre Murene, 25, if we have to tighten our belts, it is up to the president to set an example: “ Ruto should first cut his spending. We could then lower taxes. How dare he renovate the presidential palace when he is destroying the Mathare slum? We are fighting for our future. In 30 years, we will have to pay our debts and we don’t want that. »
Very quickly, the police repressed the gathering. The demonstrators shout: “ We are peaceful “. Musi Gatweri is one of them. “ They are shooting tear gas at us even though we are very peaceful. We didn’t destroy anything. Why do they shoot young people who are inside a building? We want the entire law to be rejected, not amended. Ruto is a thief, he does not represent Kenya. He must go », says Musi.
Read alsoKenya: Government withdraws most of its contested plans for new taxes
A mobilization via social networks
For Kenya, the mobilization is historic. The movement affected around ten cities across the country. And it was on social networks that the mobilization took place. A video has gone viral: that of the hacker group Anonymous, which supports the “Occupy Parliament” movement.
In the streets of the city center, mask on his face, Alfonso films with his cell phone. He presents himself as a videographer, digital activist. “ We are serious. The youth is out, generation Z. The digital era is taking a new form. It’s global. Now we are a community. We can mobilize. The old people have had their day. We are the youth and it is time for us to take matters into our own hands “, he assumes.
“ They are right »
It was on TikTok that Félix learned of today’s protest. It didn’t take much to mobilize him. “ Young Kenyans struggle to earn a living. I’m 23 years old, I’m from generation Z. I fight for our rights because we suffer. I believe in a new revolution of young people who have just arrived on the job market, like me and who work on the right, on the left », Hopes Félix.
Despite tear gas and police charges, the streets swell with young people dressed in black, smartphones in hand. Roger, motorcycle taxi, can’t believe it. “ Young people come from everywhere. They disrupt our work but they are right. They demand justice. Our president must listen to the Kenyans, they are angry », assures Roger.
Adopted this Thursday by deputies, the finance bill must still be presented to the Senate on June 25.