Sometime last week, a 7-days-of-rage timetable started making rounds in response to the finance bill protests that seem to be rising to a crescendo. Kenyan youth are set to hit the streets on Tuesday and Thursday this week to echo all that they’ve been marching against the past week.
While this is the case, it is also with great concern that a worrying trend has been noted; the abductions of the vocal activists on the anti-finance bill protests. The most recent being that of the prominent X user, Billy Simani or rather known as Crazy Nairobian who was released on Saturday after more than 50,000 people joined a twitter space demanding for his release. On Sunday night, activist Shad Khalif was also abducted as depicted in a viral video making rounds on social media.
These incidents point to a troubling approach that prioritizes silencing dissent over addressing the underlying frustrations that fuel the protests.
The finance bill, purportedly introduced with the intention of addressing fiscal deficits, has been met with significant opposition from a wide spectrum of society. Critics argue that the bill imposes heavy financial burdens on ordinary citizens, escalating already difficult economic conditions. The protests have seen participation from diverse groups, mostly the youth of Kenya who are an educated lot and united by their demand for a more equitable and considerate approach to addressing fiscal deficits.
The mysterious abductions of vocal activists like Crazy Nairobian and Shad Khalif highlight a dangerous strategy of attempting to suppress the freedom of expression. These actions not only violate individual rights but also fail to address the root causes of the protests.
Silencing voices through intimidation and abduction is a deeply flawed and lame tactic. It undermines democratic principles and the right to free speech, fostering an environment of fear and distrust. Moreover, it fails to resolve the issues at hand. The grievances of the protesters are based on real economic challenges that require thoughtful and effective solutions, not suppression.
These abductions stand as stark reminders of an attempt to take Kenya back to a very dark era that we’re clearly out of. It’s time to go back to the books and reinternalize the fact that Kenya is a democratic nation; of the people, by the people and for the people.
