Interesting time to be alive

~~Updates at the end of the story~~

There’s a revolution happening in my country. If I let my CPTSD look at it, this is the strangest thing I’ve ever experienced.

A little background: There’s a proposed bill in our parliament, the Finance Bill 2024, which, if passed, would tax the nation to death. There are serious implications because we are already reeling from the effects of covid, inflation, you name it. So, our Gen Z took to the streets. #RejectFinanceBill2024 is trending globally now.

Cut to my weekly grocery run

Yesterday after work, I went to my usual store. I’ve shared before about how oppressive it can feel; people are struggling to make ends meet, like gritting their teeth through life. I soak all that up and it has broken me to tears more than once. But this time, the energy was… unlike anything I’d ever experienced.

It wasn’t like Christmas or New Year, which have their own vibe. It was like electricity in the air, or a new flavor on my tongue. It wasn’t excitement, maybe it was anticipation? It’s hard to describe.

Then I decided to ask around the store, spoke to cashiers and security guards about the protests.

One was counting the hours to clocking out. He said he’d already bought face masks from the store and would be joining the protests first thing today (which is expected to be the biggest gathering yet).

Another was genuinely excited, like going to the biggest party of her life. She was definitely in the know, updating me on the latest info about the protests. It was fascinating to see that spirit of activism in someone so young.

My favorite turned out to be a political protest veteran. She had ALL THE TIPS about navigating a crowd, avoiding teargas and water cannons, how to jump onto a moving motorcycle to escape a riot (I kid you not).

I was looking at these people and thinking, “I have never seen this in my life.”

This is not politics as we’ve known it.

I’ve always avoided all things politics. It’s always divisive, always tribalized, almost always violent in some way. I could never expose myself to that.

However, this time, the protesters have been generally peaceful. I have heard of no looting so far, and it’s been several days of demonstrations. I have heard very little tribalism this time, too.

And as I write this, I realize that it’s so unfamiliar because this is unity. I have never been exposed to this kind of experience before. It confuses my senses. It’s guts and courage and zero fucks left to give, all rolled into one. That kind of energy can steamroll a nation.

Going to work this morning, there were people on the streets. A few here and there, but I live in a rural place so that counts as a lot. One young man literally walked past me and said, “Reject the Finance Bill. That’s the movement.” I just grinned and said, “Absolutely!”

I would go. Yes, I’m shocked too.

I am the absolute last person who would ever join a protest. If walking to the grocery store is overwhelming enough, imagine being immersed into a throng with whistles and chants and noise — and tear gas.

But I would go. It’s a worthy cause. It would probably take me a year to recover from a single day of protests, but it would be indelible. It would be one of those “I was there and you can never take that away from me” moments.

I can only watch from the sidelines and still, it’s awe-inspiring. This movement will be studied in schools, I’m almost certain of it. It’s a chaotic time, but the impact is undeniable. Whether the bill passes or not, the nation is changed. What it will become, nobody knows at this point. I’m just glad to witness it.

UPDATES

• When I wrote this piece, the protests were largely peaceful. But the bill passed anyway, and then things got chaotic. It’s like the entire country was ablaze, and I mean more than literally. Part of the Parliament building was set on fire, City Hall also burned, businesses owned by the politicians who voted yes to the bill were also targeted. People died, hundreds were injured, many more arrested.
• Today, Wednesday June 26, is largely peaceful too. There is a heavy police presence especially in Nairobi. I worry that this is a calm before a major storm. Why? Yesterday, our president said the protesters were “treasonous”. Also, he intends to sign the bill into law tomorrow, Thursday, June 27. Today feels like the youth are just marinating in the insult. They braved the tear gas and water cannons and live bullets only to be called traitors.
• There’s already a very loud call for protests for tomorrow, Thursday, June 27. If that bill becomes law, it will be unpleasant (and I’m putting it mildly). Maybe more millenials may join the protest this time, because it’s been mostly about the Gen Z. I have no crystal ball, but I don’t think the president will change his mind about the bill overnight. And if that’s the case, Kenya will make global headlines for all the wrong reasons.
• As of right now (Tuesday, June 26), the finance bill is no more. The president gave in to the Gen Z pressure. But now they’re calling for him to resign. Even though this is a win, too many lives were lost. Reuters reports 23 dead, but on the ground things could be different. I cannot say much more about this. One lost life is too much.
• Worth noting: According to our Constitution, if a bill isn’t signed, it still becomes law after 14 days. So, this issue isn’t quite over yet.
• The Thursday protest (June 27) had a much lower turnout, but there were still road blocks and tear gas and lives lost across the country. The lower turnout was expected though, because the momentum was lost. The bill didn’t pass, so that’s a win, so why go out again? The call this time was for the president to resign. It’s a valid fight, but it’s very different from rejecting the bill. No idea when or how the standoff will end.