Occupy parliament: A momentous day of demonstrations reveals a generational change

For a digitally organized protest, the turnout did not disappoint, there were throngs of protestors, mostly the youth.  The reading of the finance bill 2024, had a far reaching effect on Kenyans. 

It united Kenyans in a way that has been rarely witnessed. Its merit or the lack thereof has been the subject of discussion on many forums including the public and social media platforms but on one thing most Kenyans were in unison; the finance bill 2024 should not see the light of day.

For a generation that has largely been accustomed to being “loud” on their keyboards, it was by no fluke that they came to be known as “keyboard warriors.” 

One of the most feared wings of Kenya’s keyboard warriors have been KOT(X) (Kenyans On Twitter or as presently known X). In encounters that have pitted them against not only neighboring countries but also far off countries, KOT have been known to take no prisoners and can be very brutal in executing their opinions online. 

Online content creators also have had a field day conjuring all manner of skits to denigrate and deride the bill that not only seeks to increase taxes but also introduce a raft of new taxes to corporate and private citizens. Over time, Kenyan “keyboard warriors” have gained a notoriety for being radical and unapologetic. However, for the first time ever, the keyboard warriors planned and executed an effective protest that was brutally repressed by the police.

It therefore came as no surprise that when online discussions around the presented finance bill 2024 was filled with intensity and disdain, the clouds had begun gathering. The random online deliberations generated a lot of heat and soon the debate drew out in two directions, one was to reach all MPs on their phones to direct them to vote against the bill when it comes to the voting stage and another was to turn up in parliament during the second reading to show their displeasure at the bill. 

Since 14th June, the “keyboard warriors” began a push urging as many Kenyans as possible turn up outside parliament to show opposition to the bill, however, few expected the actual turnout for the day.

In numbers they turned out, armed with whistles, placards and T-Shirts as they proceeded to give the police, who had already proscribed the gathering, a run for their money! They marched in the streets, loudly passing their message, they dared the cops to arrest them and they were defiant in the face of arrests to the extent of singing out their messages in the police lorries where they sat handcuffed. 

The youthful faces and voices all told of one story, they had come of age, their parents were no longer going to talk for them, and they owned the message and passed it on with gusto. They were there both men and women, declaring to the police that they were exercising their rights and the “will of the people” will prevail.

Not even the offer by the MPS allied to the government at midday withdrawing some of the clauses of the bill could placate them as they moved in numbers from one street to the other, loudly voicing their displeasure at the bill. Threats of arrest and actual arrest of over 400 during the digitally organized protest failed to dampen their spirit.

Demonstrations, in Kenya, predate the present generation who have come of age. In days of yore, demonstrations were the forte of legends, the list is filled with big names… Oginga Odinga, Stanley Matiba, Charles Rubia, George Anyona, are some among those who have since gone to the land beyond the horizon but some are still around like Koigi Wamwere, Raila Odinga, Njeru Kathangu, Kiraitu Murungi, Gitobu Imanyara, and James Orengo but to mention a few. 

Some are still striding the land like giants while others have taken a low profile. But for all those dead and alive, they must have beamed with pride at the new crop of demonstrators that were birthed today if the words of opposition leader Raila Odinga are anything to go by. The keyboard warriors have come of age.