As Kenyans come to terms with the fatal turn of events during the Finance Bill 2024 protests, many have shared harrowing accounts of their experiences while pushing for the rejection of the proposed law, criticized for its punitive tax measures. Among them, a group of Gen Z protesters is breathing a sigh of relief, having made it through unscathed.
Recounting his experience during the protest, Kerray Mildred, a man born in 1997 and on the border of Generation Z, expressed disappointment at why the demonstrations turned violent and fatal.
Despite this, he was happy to participate in the protests. He took part in a smaller demonstration that occurred on the streets of Kitengela town in Kajiado County.
“Many traders were conducting their business as usual as protests happened,” Mildred said.
In Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), one of the main areas where protesters convened, police officers engaged them in running battles, lobbing tear gas canisters and using water cannons.
Kerray Mildred noted that such scenes were not witnessed in Kitengela. Instead, some protesters engaged officers, explaining that their demand for the rejection of the Bill was intended to benefit everyone.
“They understood and we gave them drinking water. We understand their responsibility to ensure our safety and they understand why we are protesting,” he said.
Gen Z were seen distributing water and milk to officers as they proceeded with protests.
Another protester, Michael Wakaba, said that it was disappointing to lose lives when people are holding peaceful protests.
“It is the right of every citizen to participate in protests as long as they are peaceful,” he said.
In other sections, protesters helped each other when they needed medical attention or when they were at risk of being arrested.
However, in many parts of the country, the story was different, with police and protesters appearing to be on opposite sides.
Both local leaders and the international community have condemned Tuesday’s protests, which left at least five people dead. Protesters made their way to Parliament, accessing the buildings and leaving a trail of destruction.
President William Ruto declared that the peaceful protests had turned violent and that the culprits would face the law. The government deployed the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to maintain peace.
