When Kenyans took to the streets to protest against the recent Finance bill, under the hashtag #RejectFinanceBill2024, led by a fiery and firebrand Gen Z and docile millennials, I did not expect much to come from it. The usual social media gimmicks and activism characterized by armchair rhetorics behind a small gadget are what I thought it would result in. I mean, previous street protests have been characterized by hooliganism, violence, and looting among other vices largely because the government, through the press, has shaped this narrative.
I am a millennial. Millennials are known for their conformity; we tend to follow directives readily because we value adaptability and agreeableness. We tend to comply as long as the guidelines are clear and the actions to be taken are explicit. We are also a tech-savvy generation known for our collaborative spirit. Not the Gen Z. This generation is known for its inquisitive nature and its tendency to challenge the status quo. We tend to think they are weird because they are passionate and want meaningful explanations rather than simply following orders of 'because I said' as an answer.
However, when you combine the rebellious spirit of Gen Z with the conformity of millennials, the result is the well-organized demonstrations witnessed against the Finance Bill 2024. These demonstrations were devoid of tribal divisions and focused on improving standards, going against punitive taxes and what we call "escaping the matrix".
Somehow, I feel like the mainstream media has become partial and compromised in reporting political matters that affect the populace. This apprehension stems from the fact that media outlets may self-censor to avoid jeopardizing the funding that they get from government coffers. Yet, they would not admit it because the government is a major stakeholder in the operation of media outlets. Media houses have to choose between editorial independence, sacrificing proper journalism and financial stability in their reporting. Challenging the status quo could lead to your licenses to operate being revoked or lead to serious financial repercussions.
Consequently, Kenyans have been left to endure the excesses of the government under the guise of public participation, a program that has not always lived up to its name in terms of genuine citizen involvement. The legislature went to bed with the executive, because it controls the purse strings and as a result, they enact legislation that does not align with the needs of the common man.
As citizens, we feel neglected because leaders are not carrying out their constitutional right in addressing the plight of the average citizen. The "Uta do" mentality is frustrating and chocks to the core. Of course, the president needs to leave a positive legacy while being responsive to the citizens, but it seems like the Kenya Kwanza government does not listen to the people. Unfortunately, it is "the same forest with different monkeys." Who is to blame for electing leaders who are easily swayed by the incumbent government and who lack a proven track record to show forth? Should we blame the common man, who is easily corruptible with a few shillings, or civil society for inadequate public sensitization?
Over the past two decades, it has become increasingly evident that we have become a tribal nation, particularly in politics and economic empowerment. This is a topic that elicits emotions and upsets me, and I have to address it because it is a dangerous slippery slope. We are in a delicate tribal warfare that impacts us yet we cannot admit it. Human beings have always been tribal since time immemorial, seeking to share deep-seated animosities with like-minded individuals. Tribalism is dangerous because it fosters division and hatred. However, it can also unite and motivate, leading to better outcomes through competition. When we view the world through the lens of our tribe, we lose our nuance. Tribalism is now deeply rooted in both politics and the workplace, often turning politicians and employers into thoughtless, ethnically maligned drones. This allegiance to tribal views can suppress independent thought and align us with oppressive ideologies, ultimately costing us our independent thinking.
In Kenya, whoever takes power controls the government coffers and, eventually, effectively holds the purse strings for the entire nation. It's a winner-take-all scenario. This control also extends to the judiciary, which in some cases renders the institution susceptible to manipulation. Fundamentally, the judiciary is supposed to uphold the rule of law and administer justice according to the Constitution of the land. However, in some cases, the judicial process is skewed, resulting in verdicts that acquit individuals in ways that undermine the rights and liberties of both defendants and plaintiffs. The result is that glaring facts contradict a ruling, and this erodes public trust in the judiciary. It creates the perception that the highest bidder can sway judicial rulings in their favor, despite clear evidence to the contrary. And that is where the people must step in.
When widespread injustice occurs and the common man feels the country is not governed by the rule of law, they resort to picketing. People are protesting because the government has chosen to use the justice system and legislature to oppress the common people, leaving them to suffer and feed on the breadcrumbs while the elites enjoy the benefits of the cake. Our freedom of speech is infringed upon because the people we elected to office are colluding executive arm. Yet it is our right to speak about the ills that we see in society. As much as we may be sent to Gulag for expressing our political opinions, and engaging in open discourse on societal issues, we can challenge and potentially change the prevailing norms and enact positive change. We need to feel free while expressing our views without fear of discomfort. The pragmatism to face authority has now been left to social media though it should not be the sole outlet to challenge it.
Upon completing their education, instead of being guaranteed a haven in employment, school leavers are nowadays forced to find opportunities as content creators on platforms like Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok, where they can express their ideas because the economy is struggling to create sufficient job opportunities. The social media platforms can only pay a few creative individuals who bring an audience to their pages hence generating advertiser revenue. Consequently, many citizens who could have been productive and contributed to the economy are dependent on their overtaxed and financially overburdened guardians and parents. The "black tax" phenomenon has become a responsibility even for pensioners.
Parents took their children to school with the hopes that they would be self-reliant upon completion of their education, whether someone went to a technical school or graduate school. Unfortunately, many graduates and school leavers are still dependent on their siblings, relatives, and parents due to the scarcity of income opportunities. In today's job market, even roles in construction that traditionally demanded minimal expertise and prized endurance are gatekept by nepotism and cronyism. Connections have become a prerequisite, a secret handshake granting access to employment's elusive rewards.
The clamor and resistance to the finance bill are rooted in the fact that it does not benefit the citizens who have to pay taxes and endure economic hardship. Economically, it is what's required to steer clear of the recurring debt trap we encounter. The real issue is that the political elite, the bureaucrats, and their entourage follow the usual path. They become affluent, lose touch with reality, and think they are better than others. In the end, they lose a healthy sense of perspective and come to view their roles as a God-given right to hold the positions they have. They become arrogant and impervious to the populace's desires.
I may be watching from the flanks. Protestors get killed, incarcerated, and injured while fighting for a better tomorrow. On the contrary, politicians get rich and are protected by the law enforcers. Some are inept and misappropriate money that should serve the current and future generations. They squander public funds while citizens diligently work hard and pay their taxes to support their extravagant lifestyles. We should stand to be counted by holding leaders accountable. As we demand accountability from them, they need to also be truth-telling. After all, we are all suffering irrespective of the tribe we belong to. When taxes are levied, they transcend tribal affiliations because they are not discriminatory. They are imposed uniformly across the board. And who stands to gain? It is tax collectors, the political class, and those with allocated budgets who use the revenue selfishly.
As a result, it is the average citizen who bears the brunt when tax funds are misappropriated, failing to serve their designated purpose. The 100 bob or 200 bob that you are given as a bribe will give you the illusion that your representative has your interest at heart. The truth is that once individuals are elected to represent us, they prioritize their agendas over the collective welfare of society. Wahenga na wahenguzi hawakukosea walipolonga kwamba, 'Kila mwamba ngoma, ngozi huivutia kwake.'
Hasta La Vista Baby.
