DEVASTATION IN KENYA

DEVASTATION IN KENYA

Tuesday, 13th July ,2023,  shouts, war cry and bonfires hit the country with loss of lives and property destruction including iconic Nairobi Expressway- Mlolongo section. The national wide mass protest called by Azimio opposition leader Hon. Raila Odiga caught the attention Kenyans including those who voted for the Kenya Kwanza Government due to what they named as repulsive 2023 Financial Bill. 

In the Bill are new taxes with a double fuel levy which has spiked the cost of living above the roof. Most Kenyans now survive on one meal or go hungry all together. Despite the cry by wanjiku, the Kenya Kwanza Government has stamped its authority to force the bill into a law after majority side in the parliament voted for it. These has made the hustler government obnoxious to Kenyans of whom the opposition has taken advantage of for mass action and demonstration.

With such intense rivalry between the Government and Opposition, it's was easier for Kenyans to come out in numbers on streets to protest against the highest cost of living ever recorded since Kenya became a republic. Long distance travel Sacco's parked vehicles at their respective offices across the nation disrupting travels. They too claimed doubled fuel levy will hurt their business. Meanwhile, the tax man, KRA, lost 3B shillings in revenue collection which has a long term effect overly. 

The July 13th demonstration was a day's warfare between the civilians and police leading to chaos and death. Each side blames another for hiring goons to sponsor chaos instead of embracing peace. The bonfires allover reminded me of the 2007/8 PEV which left much suffering, deaths and property destructions. When civilians express their dissatisfaction on streets, the country is in danger of falling into anarchic. 

However, who bedevils civilians? What makes them think by destroying properties they will be heard? Who benefits and who looses in such draconian violence? Is their no other way to address such issues? Why is the government turning a deaf ear and blind eye to its electorates? Has the government exhausted all means possible to deal with high cost of living menace? What is it that the government is not telling Kenyans and opts to tax people to pain and suffering? 

Failure to address these issues and many more by the government has led to boldening of Opposition to ride on vulnerable Kenyans. Angry and hungry nation is a disaster in waiting. If the common man has nothing on the table then the rich must be prepared for sleepless nights also. It's a cycle of economic hyperloop, of one thing leading to the other. With rampant unemployment its hard to believe that life is normal to unemployed graduate youths. Many have fallen into traps of mischief in a bid to cop-up with prevailing hardship. 

The government has the obligation to come out clearly and defend it's people or choose between 2023 Financial Bill or Kenyans. The truth is most Kenyans are misinformed on the Bill therefore their actions are justified by the misinformation. On the other hand the Opposition is fast claiming ground nationally spreading propaganda to misinformed Kenyans drinking from their gullibility. As a result more chaos and deaths. 

These images are borrowed from July 13, 2023 National Newspapers showing mass action and violence that took place during the demonstartions.