On June 25, 2024, a seismic shift occurred in Kenya, marked by significant political and social upheaval. This monumental day was not just another in the chronicle of Kenyan politics but a critical juncture that might very well redefine the future trajectory of the nation. This narrative aims to encapsulate the essence and underlying currents of what is now being referred to as the Kenyan Revolution, a series of events triggered by the controversial Finance Bill 2024.
The day began under a cloud of tense anticipation. The streets of Nairobi’s Central Business District were swarming with a multitude of people, predominantly youthful, who descended upon the area with a sense of purpose and urgency. The bill, having sparked an unprecedented mobilization of the Kenyan youth, was scheduled for its third and final reading in parliament. By 2:15 pm, the bill was passed with a significant majority of 195 votes to 106. However, the approval of this bill did not quell the rising storm but rather acted as a catalyst for a more profound agitation.
Within 40 minutes of the bill’s passage, the atmosphere transformed dramatically. The parliament became the epicenter of chaos as the insurrectionary masses stormed the building, leading to MPs fleeing in a state of panic. This marked a significant departure from the previous week’s mood, highlighting how quickly consciousness can evolve in a revolutionary context.
The previous week had witnessed MPs overwhelmed by the sheer volume of communications from the public, with one member receiving over 30,000 messages. The signs of discontent were palpable as thousands of handwritten protest signs adorned the hands of the youth, beseeching their representatives to heed their calls. Yet, it became increasingly apparent that the MPs were, metaphorically, both blind and deaf to the needs and demands of the masses. They appeared more as stewards of the ruling class’s interests and those of imperialist entities such as the IMF and World Bank rather than representatives of the people.
This week, however, the scene was starkly different. The streets were notably devoid of signs or placards. The air was thick with determination, signaling that the time for dialogue had lapsed and the moment for decisive action had arrived. Before the day broke, there were already attempts by the regime to stifle the burgeoning movement through the abduction of several social media influencers. This move, intended to dampen spirits, instead, revealed a gross underestimation of the people’s resolve.
As the morning progressed, the mobilization expanded beyond Nairobi, with youth-filled streets reported in 34 of Kenya’s 47 counties. Their demands were twofold: the immediate release of the abducted influencers and the rejection of the Finance Bill. The government’s attempt to disregard the public’s outcry proved futile as the bill’s passage only intensified the people’s grievances. The imposition of IMF-mandated taxes, affecting essentials from sanitary products to cancer care, was perceived as a direct assault on the welfare of the masses.
The response to the bill’s passage was swift and intense. Reports emerged of armed police, and possibly snipers, opening fire on the unarmed crowd gathered outside the parliament. The confrontation resulted in ten fatalities and over fifty injuries. The severity of the government’s reaction only fueled the rage of the masses. The parliament premises, once a symbol of governance, turned into a battleground. The police, overwhelmed by the sheer number of protestors, were quickly overpowered as the masses stormed the building.
This day’s events in Kenya bore a striking resemblance to the revolutionary fervor witnessed in Sri Lanka in 2022. Similar to the Sri Lankan uprising, where ordinary citizens took over presidential luxuries, Kenyan youths found themselves in the speaker’s chair, availing themselves of the parliamentary canteen, and most symbolically, parading through the streets with the parliamentary Mace. This act of carrying the ceremonial Mace, while seemingly trivial, represented a profound defiance against the state’s mystique and authority. It served as a tangible demonstration that the sacred entities of the state were not beyond the reach of the masses.
As the day unfolded, the revolution’s echoes were not confined to Nairobi. The unrest spread across the country, with significant incidents reported in major cities and towns. Government buildings were either stormed or surrounded, and in some cases, set ablaze. In Mombasa, the Governor’s house was targeted; in Embu, both the Governor’s house and the UDA party offices were set on fire. In Nanyuki, the Laikipia County Assembly suffered a similar fate, and in Murang’a and Kisii, intense confrontations between police and protesters erupted. The targeted destruction of properties owned by MPs, including a supermarket and a luxury nightclub, underscored the deep-seated class resentment fueling the protests.
Despite the chaos, the Kenyan government remained ostensibly intact as night fell. President Ruto, in a late press conference, labeled the youth as “treasonous criminals” and vowed to crush the uprising with the full might of the security apparatus. Far from intimidating the masses, his words only served to deepen their resolve and commitment to the cause.
This narrative leads to a critical contemplation of the movement’s future and its leadership. The parallels drawn with the Sri Lankan upheaval are pertinent, not just in the spontaneous nature of both movements but in their unequivocal rejection of the ruling class and established political entities. The Kenyan youth, under the rallying cry of being “fearless, tribeless, and partyless,” have shown a profound distrust of traditional political structures and a desire for genuine societal reform.
However, the absence of a coherent leadership could potentially create a vacuum, risking the emergence of inadequate or opportunistic leadership, as was the case in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan movement eventually saw lawyers stepping up, only to replace one figurehead with another, without addressing the systemic issues at the core of the crisis. This underscores the importance of a leadership that not only embodies the revolutionary spirit but also possesses a clear program and strategy aimed at dismantling the foundations of the existing capitalist system.
For Kenya, the challenge remains to build a leadership from within the revolutionary ranks, one that truly represents the interests of the working class, youth, and impoverished masses. This leadership must be capable of formulating a strategy that includes the formation of committees in communities, schools, and workplaces to broaden the base of the movement. Such structures could facilitate a systematic engagement in the struggle, potentially encouraging elements within the state’s security apparatus to align with the masses’ cause.
In conclusion, the Kenyan Revolution stands at a crucial crossroads. The events of June 25, 2024, have undoubtedly empowered the masses with a renewed sense of their collective strength. However, the journey is far from over. The ultimate success of this movement will depend on its ability to sustain momentum, strategically navigate the challenges ahead, and, most importantly, forge a leadership that can steer the revolution towards a genuine transformation of society. Only then can the vision of a socialist republic, a beacon for oppressed masses across Africa and the world, be realized.
