Hope in Action: Standing with Kenya's Youth Amidst Adversity
Protesters rally Kenya’s proposed finance bill in Nairobi. June 2024. Credit: Luis Tato/Agence France-Presse.
Dear Friends and Supporters,
As an American in Kenya for the last 24 years, I’ve seen significant moments. Beautiful highs and harrowing lows, from the 2003 rainbow coalition to the 2007-2008 post-election violence. I remember Kenya being the most hopeful country in the world, and Uhuru Park packed with joyful people. I also remember the chaos four years later when election rigging led to ethnically-charged violence with at least 1200 people killed and over 350,000 displaced (some still living in camps). For me, that meant searching for food in empty supermarkets for weeks, picking up live bullets on the main road outside our house, and hosting friends who had fled from their homes for a few months. The harrowing experience left an indelible mark on me, illustrating both the fragility and resilience of the human spirit.
Recent Protests and Activism
Last week, hope and terror converged once again in a matter of hours. Protests in Kenya began last month with #RejectFinanceBill2024. This bill, driven by IMF loans taken without public participation, sought to raise $2.66 billion in taxes, including reintroducing VAT on essential items like sanitary pads, further burdening ordinary people without improving services and further penalizing women for menstruating. Kenya, one of the world's most unequal countries, sees a tiny elite controlling the majority of wealth. Despite a High Court ruling against excessive police force, the government responded with violence against peaceful protestors.
Last Tuesday, I joined influencer Janet Mbugua downtown, discussing Kenya's history of activism around period poverty. I've been part of this since launching the 2006 National Sanitary Towels Campaign, advocating for pads in government budgets. Surrounded by a sea of people chanting with pride and determination, we peacefully held our ground despite tear gas and police aggression.
Escalation of Violence
However, shortly after I left, the situation darkened as live bullets flew, targeting medical clinics and journalists. Yet, these atrocities only fueled our resolve. Our initial victory came with the withdrawal of the finance bill, but now the call is louder: #RutoMustGo. This movement demands an end to systemic corruption and adherence to radical accountability across government.
Since the protests began last month, at least 50 people have been killed and 60 more have gone missing. Despite these horrific attempts to harm and discredit protestors, we persist. The majority protesting are youth and GenZ, fed up with a government more interested in luxury and looting than their future. Organized and resolute, they make up nearly 35% of the upcoming electorate.
Support and Solidarity
At ZanaAfrica, we stand with the protestors. We close our office on protest days, ensuring our staff can participate without penalty. Through WhatsApp, we stay connected and safe, while our social business arm, ZanaAfrica Group, provides Nia pads and essential support to those on the frontlines.
Amidst the turmoil, our work continues. We expand health, rights, and life skills education in schools, communities, and digital spaces. We listen. We learn. We empower youth with the knowledge and tools to strengthen their voices and agency - essential now, more than ever.
Join Us in Supporting Kenya's Future
Please consider supporting ZanaAfrica at this pivotal moment in history. Together, we can empower the next generation and strive for a brighter, more just future. We will continue to keep you updated as the situation unfolds. Until then, we thank you, as always, for standing with ZanaAfrica and standing up for the next generation.
Asante Sana,
Megan Mukuria
Founder, ZanaAfrica