National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has taken an unexpected U-turn on his earlier scornful remarks against the Kenyan Generation Zs protesting the Finance Bill 2024. During an event on Friday in Eladama Ravine, Baringo County, Ichung’wah had previously claimed that the protesters were elites who use high-end mobile phones and hail online taxis to attend protests.
“The Gen Z have iPhones and use Ubers to protest. Wanatoka maandamano wanaingia KFC kukula kuku na minofu, maji ni ile ya chup[a…si mliwaona? Hawajui shida stima ni kitu gani…wako na umeme 24/7,” he said.
Now reneging on his harshly received comment, the legislator took to Facebook on Sunday to praise the same group he previously mocked. Toning down his view towards Gen Zs, Ichung’wah commended the generation for what he described as radically eroding the deeply-rooted politics of ethnicity in Kenya.
“The emergence of Gen Z as a force in advocacy and governance has shown a remarkable shift towards unity and inclusivity, transcending ethnic and tribal barriers that have long divided us,” he wrote in a social media post.
“This new generation exemplifies a forward-thinking approach, prioritizing common goals and shared values over narrow, divisive identities. It is disappointing to witness some national leaders clinging to outdated notions of tribalism and ethnic division.
Our Gen Z clearly demonstrates a more progressive vision for our nation’s future, setting an example that all leaders should aspire to follow.”
His about-turn comes after President William Ruto praised the efforts shown by youthful protesters to call for change, vowing to welcome their views and make changes where necessary.
“I am very proud of our young people, they have stepped forward tribeless, peacefully and we are going to engage them so that together we can build a greater nation,” said Ruto during a Sunday service in Nyahururu.
Nationwide protests against the punitive Finance Bill 2024 garnered international attention last week, with widespread support for efforts to reject the legislation. The protests are poised to continue into this week, culminating on Thursday with Gen Zs issuing a warning that they will block major roads leading to Nairobi and march to State House under the slogan #OccupyStateHouse.
A widely shared poster on social media outlines their intentions, indicating that Thursday is the anticipated day for President William Ruto to potentially sign the Finance Bill into law. Gen Zs have stated that they will be present to “witness Ruto sign our lives into slavery” if the bill passes through parliament.
