Momentum builds as Kenyans rally online and on streets against Finance Bill 2024

Shadrack, popularly known as @Shad_Khalif on X, was last seen on Sunday night following a dramatic arrest that was captured on CCTV. 

Kenyans on X and other social media platforms are not relenting, calling for his release as they insist on a total shutdown that will see a million Kenyans on the streets Tuesday.

Momentum on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, is not dying down. #RejectFinanceBill2024 remains the top trending topic, with a series of hashtags calling for freedom following closely. 

#FreeShad is proving that arbitrary arrests by the powers that be are only fueling the momentum.

A video making rounds online shows the dramatic arrest of Shadrack Kiprono, a banker turned activist whose whereabouts remain unknown since Sunday night. 

Shadrack, who was on JKL last Wednesday, appeared confident that the movement started by the youth online will achieve its objectives.

Shadrack has been at the forefront of the movement, tweeting and retweeting messages urging all to reject the Finance Bill 2024. With a following of over 22,000, his influence is significant. 

Among his last tweets is a sarcastic message responding to another X user who claimed the financier of the protests is none other than the president's economic advisor, David Ndii. T

The tweet has been viewed almost 100,000 times.

"Ruto, you will be a one-term president," tweeted Shadrack Kiprono.

Even as the government targets those suspected to be the coordinators of the protest, Kenyans online have categorically stated they have no leader and the agitation for change is a collective one. 

Tweets carrying the hashtags #RejectFinanceBill2024 and #FreeShad are accompanied by infographics comparing government expenditure on what Kenyans feel are non-essentials versus education, healthcare, and infrastructure. 

Online users are questioning why the Office of the First Lady should be funded, suggesting the money could be better spent on building hospitals, providing diapers, or upgrading roads. 

Allocations for furniture and renovations are also under scrutiny, with suggestions that the funds could make a difference for JSS teachers and the school feeding program.

Funds gained through corruption, wastage on travel, and expensive lifestyles for government officers have not been left out, with Kenyans expressing rage over what they term complacency, selfishness, greed, and disregard for the people.

Videos such as one showing Sudi, the Ainabkoi MP, at a harambee, and pictures of parliamentarians dishing out money in church events are further agitating Kenyans.

As the call for Shadrack's release continues online, Tuesday's shutdown looms, with Kenyans declaring that one million people will be on the streets to reset the soul of the nation.

"We have no leader," tweeted a protester, emphasizing the collective nature of the movement.

Vivian Chepkemoi, a resident of Eldoret, expressed her support for the protests, saying, 

"This movement is for all Kenyans. We must stand together to demand change."