Auma Obama reacts after being teargassed in Nairobi

During an interview with CNN’s Larry Madowo, Auma decried why the government ignored the call by the youthful generation on the issue of over-taxation. 

She also voiced her frustrations over the brute force and heavy response shown by the police officers on peaceful and unarmed protestors.

“I can’t believe that these young people are just trying to demonstrate for their rights. I came to join them to tell them that they need to use their voices and we’re being teargassed. We have flags and banners, nothing else,” she said. 

“How can you teargas your own people? Listen to them. They are the future, 80 per cent of the future and if they decide to turn on you they can and that is what they’re doing now.”

She lauded the youth for their passion in voicing their opinions and exercising their rights. 

“These children are doing it on their own, they are not following politicians. We need to listen to them. We are not fighting each other, just listen to them. Part of the things that are going on with this bill is that they’re touching our ancestral land where we bury our people. How can you tax us forever since time immemorial?”

Auma noted that the government should take the plight of the Gen Zs seriously as they account for majority of the population in the country. 

“It is not right. These young people have no jobs. We are taxing the jobless and telling them to take a loan. I’m here to tell them I support them. We need to take it seriously,” she added. 

Auma and her daughter had joined the wave of youthful protests in Nairobi and other counties to demonstrate against the Finance Bill that is being debated in parliament. 

The bill is in the Committee of the Whole House stage whereby each amendment is voted for on a clause-by-clause basis. 

During the Parliamentary proceedings on Tuesday, Azimio MPs withdrew their amendments and resolved to reject the Bill in its entirety in solidarity with Gen Zs.  

The bill will proceed to Third Reading whereby the lawmakers will vote to either reject or pass the bill. If approved, it is assented into law by President William Ruto.