#OccupyParliament

[sagosh]

#RejectFinanceBill2024 #OccupyParliament

[phydoro]

KENYA AT A POLITICAL CROSSROADS: NAVIGATING TRIBALISM, GENDER IMBALANCE, AND THE BOLD VOICE OF GEN Z

Kenya stands at a pivotal juncture in its political evolution, as a profound generational shift challenge entrenched power structures, unmasking the deep-seated issues of tribalism, gender inequality, and political hypocrisy. At the core of this transformation lies a younger, reform-driven cohort determined to hold the ruling elite accountable, demand transparency, and dismantle the barriers that have long hindered equitable progress. The future of Kenyan politics hinges on this emerging generation, which brings both a renewed sense of urgency and a commitment to redefining the nation's political norms. This moment, marked by widespread public dissatisfaction and unprecedented activism, signals a watershed in the country’s democratic journey.

Political Hypocrisy and Public Dissatisfaction

The Kenyan political landscape has long been marred by a palpable disconnect between political promises and the lived realities of ordinary citizens. This gulf has been most evident in the cynical disregard for public welfare by the political establishment. The experience of leaders like Morara Kebaso, who was subjected to violence while advocating for accountability and the impeachment of rogue officials, underscores the perils faced by those seeking to challenge the status quo. These incidents illuminate the extent of political repression and the existential challenges of confronting an entrenched elite. For Generation Z, the widespread political hypocrisy has become intolerable. Their frustrations are driven by the growing realization that the political system is rigged in favor of a powerful few. The call for transparency and reform has never been more urgent, as young Kenyans demand an end to the perennial cycle of deceit and broken promises.

Gen Z’s Entry into Politics and the Generational Shift

A seismic shift is underway in Kenya’s political ecosystem, driven by the rising engagement of Generation Z in the political sphere. This cohort, once perceived as apolitical or disengaged, has proven to be an invaluable force for change. Individuals like Kasmuel McOure, an artist turned activist, embody the new wave of political leadership that prioritizes integrity, social justice, and accountability. McOure’s announcement to run for office in 2027 signals a burgeoning political ambition within the youth demographic, one grounded in a vision of a more inclusive, transparent, and accountable government. Recent protests against the Finance Bill of 2024, organized through viral social media campaigns such as #OccupyParliament and #RejectFinanceBill2024, further illustrate Gen Z’s capacity to galvanize large-scale political movements, utilizing the digital realm to bypass traditional media and rally citizens from all corners of the country.

 Digital Activism and Direct Engagement

In an era defined by digital connectivity, Generation Z has leveraged social media as a powerful tool for civic engagement. The ability to organize protests, share grievances, and expose political wrongdoing has empowered youth to bypass the gatekeepers of traditional media and engage directly with both government officials and the public. Campaigns like Tuwasalimie, which published the contact details of public officials to facilitate direct citizen advocacy, represent a radical departure from previous forms of political engagement. This approach reflects a preference for grassroots activism, wherein digital platforms serve not only as organizing tools but as mechanisms for holding the state to account. The protests against the Finance Bill were organized largely through online channels, demonstrating how virtual spaces can transcend geographical divides, amplify marginalized voices, and challenge the political hegemony of those in power.

Tribalism’s Legacy and the Shift Toward Unity

Kenya’s political history has been inextricably linked to ethnic affiliations, with tribalism often dictating the nature of political alliances and national policy. The dominance of the Kalenjin and Kikuyu ethnic groups, embodied in figures such as President William Ruto (Kalenjin) and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (Kikuyu), has historically shaped the country’s political direction. These power dynamics have contributed to systemic exclusion, with smaller communities finding themselves marginalized within the national discourse. However, the recent youth-led protests signal a dramatic shift away from tribal allegiances towards a more unified, issue-based approach to politics. The growing convergence of diverse ethnic groups around common economic grievances—rather than ethnic identity—marks a transformative moment in Kenyan political culture. Generation Z’s emphasis on shared struggle over tribal loyalty signals a nascent, more inclusive political identity that could redefine the national fabric.

 Gender Imbalance and the Struggle for Women’s Representation

While Kenya has made significant strides in addressing gender inequality, the political sphere remains a male-dominated arena, with women continuing to face significant barriers to full participation. The proposed gender-balanced ticket by President Ruto, while an admirable step forward, has yet to translate into tangible change in terms of female leadership representation. The legal mandate of the two-thirds gender rule, enshrined in the Constitution, remains largely unenforced, leaving Kenya's political institutions skewed toward male leadership. This persistent imbalance exacerbates the underrepresentation of women’s perspectives in governance and impedes the advancement of policies that could address the unique challenges faced by women and marginalized communities. The call for structural reforms to guarantee equal representation in political decision-making processes has gained increasing traction, with a growing chorus of activists advocating for genuine gender parity in leadership.

Institutional Corruption and the Push for Transparency

Corruption within Kenyan institutions remains a formidable obstacle to progress, eroding public trust and exacerbating socioeconomic disparities. The pervasive culture of impunity that has characterized Kenya's political establishment for decades has entrenched a system where public resources are often siphoned off by the political elite. Generation Z’s demand for accountability and transparency has found expression in their vocal opposition to corruption, with activists calling for a paradigm shift in governance. The protests against the Finance Bill, which focused on issues of financial mismanagement and the exploitation of public resources, highlight the growing appetite for reform among young Kenyans. This generational shift places transparency at the forefront of political discourse, signaling a move away from the patronage politics that have long defined Kenya’s governance.

Human Rights, Police Brutality, and Civic Liberties

In recent years, the issue of police brutality has emerged as a focal point for civil rights activists, particularly among Kenya's youth. The excessive use of force during protests, as well as the targeting of marginalized communities by law enforcement, has sparked widespread outrage. Campaigns like #EndPoliceBrutalityKE have gained momentum, with activists calling for comprehensive reforms to Kenya’s police service and a reimagining of law enforcement practices. The viral dissemination of videos documenting police violence has helped amplify the voices of victims and galvanized support for systemic reform. This demand for accountability is not merely about addressing police abuse but is part of a broader push for the protection of civil liberties and the establishment of a more just and equitable society.

As Kenya navigates its current political crossroads, the forces of change, driven by the demands of Generation Z, are shaping a new vision for the country’s future. The legacy of tribalism, gender inequality, and political hypocrisy continues to haunt the political landscape, but the vitality and determination of Kenya's youth offer a promising path forward. Their calls for transparency, accountability, and inclusivity represent a powerful repudiation of the status quo, offering hope for a more equitable and just society. In this decisive moment, Kenya’s political trajectory hangs in the balance, as the nation contemplates whether it will embrace reform or remain mired in the divisions and injustices of the past.

[alphafitnessman]

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BTC spikes around 2% after this news!

#Trump #BTC #Crypto

#viralvideo #loveisland #Israel #paofc #OccupyParliament #ACOTY2024 #หลิงหลิงคอง

[chege-44]

WITHOUT IEBC, CHANGE IS IMPOSSIBLE

The current government appears unwilling to listen to the people. However, following the uproar and the #OccupyParliament protests, we observed a change in tone. The punitive bill was withdrawn, and some changes have been enacted. Even the refusal of a salary increment, which I believe was just for show—no one genuinely refuses a salary increase. Additionally, funds allocated to individuals…

[beardedmrbean]

Kenyan police have clashed with anti-tax protesters in the capital, Nairobi, as demonstrations have spread across the country, including to the president’s home town of Eldoret.

Anti-riot police, some on horseback, fired tear gas to disperse crowds of protesters on the streets of Nairobi.

There were similar protests in other cities and major towns across the country - including Nakuru, Eldoret, Kisumu and Nyeri.

There is a palpable anger among many Kenyans over a controversial finance bill that has introduced a number of unpopular tax proposals.

Despite the complaints, the controversial bill was passed by a majority of MPs during the second reading stage. It will now go on to the next stage where a committee will consider amendments related to the proposed taxes.

As the protests started on Tuesday, the public outcry forced the government to withdraw some of contentious provisions, including a 16% tax on bread and an annual 2.5% tax on vehicles.

But protesters say this is not enough and have demanded that legislators, who are currently debating the bill in parliament, to reject the entire bill.

“I dropped out of college as my parents couldn’t afford my education. I’m hustling to go back and now you want to take the little I make and make me not even buy sanitary pads?” Aristaricus Irolo, 26, told the BBC in the capital, while holding a pad, which is among the items affected by the proposed tax rises.

Fifty-six-year-old Mumbi Muturi said she had come to support her daughter and niece, both 25, who were protesting.

"We [her generation] did not come out to protest when we should have. I am not worried about these ones. They are securing their future. I am here to support them," she said.

Unlike in the past, the current protests are being driven by young people rather than politicians and have mostly been peaceful.

There have been intense rallying calls on social media using the hashtag #OccupyParliament and #RejectFinanceBill2024, urging Kenyans to keep vigil as members of parliament debate the bill.

New faces of protest - Kenya's Gen Z anti-tax revolutionaries

Why Kenya's president wants people to love the taxman

The ‘tax collector’ president sparking Kenyan anger

It has also involved young professionals including doctors and lawyers, who are offering services to the protesters.

“My younger Gen Z colleagues here getting ready for dispatch to attend to any protester in need of medical attention in Nairobi,” Mercy Korir, a medical doctor, posted on X, formerly Twitter.

In Eldoret, the home area of Mr Ruto, hundreds of protesters brought the city to a standstill as they marched through the streets, some waving placards.

There were protests in some other towns across the country – with the anger over additional taxes uniting many Kenyans beyond their ethnicity and party.

In the central town of Nyeri, protesters chanted: "Ruto must go! and "It's all possible without Ruto".

"We are tired," other protesters said in the western town of Kisii.

Since becoming president in 2022, Mr Ruto has introduced several new and unpopular taxes, which critics say stifle economic growth and lead to job losses.

The government has often defended the tax measures as necessary to reduce the country’s national debt of nearly $80bn (£63bn).

On Wednesday the president said protests were a democratic right but maintained that they would not cripple the government's decision-making process.

Lawyers and rights groups have condemned the police for using excessive force against peaceful protesters, with hundreds of people arrested earlier this week.

Rights groups including Amnesty International jointly said on Thursday they had deployed observers nationwide while warning against use of such force.

[orionspurlegendsofficial]

Star Seeds, Your history is hidden, shrouded in mistery and it was never meant to be as so. Every ancient civilization on Earth have left their mark scattered all over your Earth and so the findings point to cataclysmic upheavals occurred long long ago. Their knowledge, sciences, laws, language and technology have been written in stones and burried under meters and sometimes miles of debris. Where did they go? With that in mind, it is time to wake up from your brute slumber made by design. Wake up and fulfill your duty! The Enlightened Era is upon you and so we leave you with the scribed made long long ago. "At the end of days a Day of Judgment there shall be.  The Earth shall quake and the rivers change course, and there shall be a darkness at noon and a fire in the heavens in the night, the day of the returning celestial god [Nibiru, the far-orbiting 10th planet of our solar system] will it be.  And who shall survive and who shall perish, who shall be rewarded and who will be punished, gods [astronauts from Nibiru] and men alike, on that day it shall be discovered;  For what shall come to pass by what had passed shall be determined; and what was destined shall in a cycle be repeated,  and what was fated and only by the heart's will occurring for good or ill shall for judgment come.  The record read, the Past remembered, the Future as prophesy understand, Let the Future of the Past the judgment be!' These are the words of Enki, Firstborn of Anu of Nibiru" From��The Lost Book of Enki: Memoirs and Prophecies of an Extraterrestrial God by Zecharia Sitchin MICHAELTSARION.COM.- Origins and Oracles MICHAELTELLINGER.COM- Hidden Origins STEVEQUAYLE.COM- When Giants ruled on Earth LAMARZULLI.NET- The Watchers BRUCELIPTON.COM- The power of Self-Healing DRLENHOROWITZ.COM.- The War agaiant Your Inner Light #guardianprojectdotinfo #torprojectdotorg #michaeltsariondotcom #stevequayledotcom #lamarzullidotnet #lloydpyedotcom #brainwashprograms #massdeceptioneducation #globalrevolt #anonymousarmada #hangemhigh #jointheparade #occupythewhitehouse #occupyparliament #attentiongenerals #wikieleaksdotorg #orionspurlegends #effdotorg #epicdotorg

[southeastasianists]

Students hold #OccupyParliament sit-in, vow to stay put until PM quits

Ahead of this weekend’s Bersih 4 rally, a group of students have gathered in front of Parliament for a sit-in protest dubbed “#OccupyParliament” and have refused to leave until Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak steps down.

Student activist Fahmi Zainol said about 50 to 100 students will take turns sitting in front of Parliament every day until Najib quits and until the country’s federal lawmakers get together to discuss solutions for various issues plaguing the country.

“We are in front of Parliament with our demands asking the prime minister to step down and also asking that after he steps down, all MPs gather in Parliament to give us an alternative about the current issues.

“We will not leave Parliament until our demands are met,” he told Malay Mail Online when contacted this evening.

At the time of writing, about 10 students were gathered at the gates of Parliament despite the rain and have pledged continue with the #OccupyParliament movement well-beyond this weekend’s Bersih 4 rally.

“Before Bersih or even after Bersih, it doesn’t matter, we will continue as long as Najib is in power,” he said.

He said although there are only 10 students so far at #OccupyParliament, the protest will continue as it is crucial for students, who don’t have hidden agendas, to defend their country.

“It’s not very many (of us) and we’re all from various movements but… it’s important because we can trigger change.

“If the opposition wanted to voice their opinions, people just see them as members of the opposition, and maybe others are busy with work so we take this as our responsibility,” he said.

Fahmi said the #OccupyParliament movement started after they attempted to hand over a memorandum to the Prime Minister’s Office asking that Najib step down, which Putrajaya refused to accept.

The student activist also noted that there are no police personnel present where the students were currently gathered but that the Parliament security officers had “taken note” of their presence.

He also said that they were looking for donations of food, tarps, tents and candles to continue with their sit-in, adding that they have already had several people ask for bank account numbers for donation purposes.

The former Universiti Malaya student council president reiterated the importance of students to stand up for their country, adding that it was the prerogative of all Malaysians to defend the nation.

“Some students may not be interested in these kinds of gatherings but there needs to be action. Everyone who loves Malaysia, regardless of race, religion or ethnicity, regardless of political slant, should stand up and fight for our country,” he said.

This is the second occupy movement that has taken root in Kuala Lumpur, the first being #OccupyDataran,, which staged their camp-in after some 500 tertiary education students marched through Kuala Lumpur on April 14, 2012 to demand the abolition of the National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN).

The Bersih 4 rally, which aims to pressure the government for institutional reforms, is to kick off on August 29 and continue overnight in a campout in Kuala Lumpur

[lettersfromtaiwan]

For the first time in history, the Taiwan Parliament (Legislative Yuan) was occupied by protesters, who fought against a trade agreement with China.   = Live Update =   

CNN ireport timeline

[drinker-joker-soulsearcher]

"You'd say that it's a police protest"

(photo: twitter @ruslantrad)

[nkiiru]

#occupyparliamentkenya  some of the pictures taken

[activatelondon2013-blog]

Kenyans use technology to hold greedy politicians to account

Wanja Maina, a Radar reporter in Kenya, responds to the #Activate2013 Summit session entitled 'how open data is changing the world'. 

"There has been a lot of advocacy in Kenya due to poor governance. The move by parliamentarians to buy high end cars and increase their salaries led to a twitter revolution of sorts. Under the hashtag #OccupyParliament and #MPIGS Kenyans mobilised a public peaceful protest in the streets of Nairobi which culminated at the parliament building.

"The government is opening up and using technology, like creating Facebook pages for officials and government bodies where statements are given concerning issues of nationals interest. For example, the Foreign Affairs Secretary used Twitter and Facebook to discuss the plight of Kenyans stuck in Egypt as Morsi was ousted from power."

[njuwamaina]

Then shit hit the fan #protest #bloody #pigsblood gross #occupyparliament #mpigs

[chillimango]

And a predominantly middle class crowd to boot #OccupyParliament

[orionspurlegendsofficial]

Throughout your ancient past, civilizations have come and gone. The have left remnants of their presence, knowledge and wisdom. Where did they go? For this Era, we remember them and Not repeat their Error and spread True Knowledge of Freedom to STOP the cycle that perish and burried their achievements and so here is to them with this quote. "At the end of days a Day of Judgment there shall be.  The Earth shall quake and the rivers change course, and there shall be a darkness at noon and a fire in the heavens in the night, the day of the returning celestial god [Nibiru, the far-orbiting 10th planet of our solar system] will it be.  And who shall survive and who shall perish, who shall be rewarded and who will be punished, gods [astronauts from Nibiru] and men alike, on that day it shall be discovered;  For what shall come to pass by what had passed shall be determined; and what was destined shall in a cycle be repeated,  and what was fated and only by the heart's will occurring for good or ill shall for judgment come.  The record read, the Past remembered, the Future as prophesy understand, Let the Future of the Past the judgment be!' These are the words of Enki, Firstborn of Anu of Nibiru" From The Lost Book of Enki: Memoirs and Prophecies of an Extraterrestrial God by Zecharia Sitchin MICHAELTSARION.COM- Origins and Oracles MICHAELTELLINGER.COM- Hidden Origins. STEVEQUAYLE.COM- There were Giants on Earth. LAMARZULLI.NET- Thew Watchers BRUCELIPTON.COM.- Your power of Self-Healing #guardianprojectdotinfo #torprojectdotorg #michaeltsariondotcom #stevequayledotcom #lamarzullidotnet #lloydpyedotcom #brainwashprograms #massdeceptioneducation #globalrevolt #anonymousarmada #hangemhigh #jointheparade #occupythewhitehouse #occupyparliament #attentiongenerals #wikieleaksdotorg #orionspurlegends #effdotorg #epicdotorg

[githinjimwai]

#occupyparliament #africarise #mpigs #kenya #justice #tunawacheki photos courtesy of Mike Kariuki

[abbyhiggins-blog-blog]

Update for Ian Cox #occupyparliament