Hundreds of Kenyans gathered for a concert in the nation’s capital, Nairobi, on Sunday, shouting slogans and dancing to honour the more than three dozen people killed in the latest anti-government protests.
The demonstrations, which began on June 18, resulted in the deaths of at least 39 people as protesters demanded the cancellation of planned tax increases and called for President William Ruto’s resignation.
“The government is now paying attention because of the protests.
“We are somewhat pleased, but there is also a lot of sadness because so many people lost their lives for the government to listen,” stated activist Boniface Mwangi, who was attending the concert.
“So we are also mourning, and we want to convey our solidarity to the families of those who lost their loved ones. We stand with you, and we will honour their sacrifice,” activist Boniface Mwangi added.
During the concert of local artists at Uhuru Park, a sprawling green space in central Nairobi, youth held up placards with messages like “RIP Comrades” and “We pledge to continue the fight,” while the crowd chanted “Ruto must go”.
Some attendees also planted crosses into the ground as a symbolic gesture.
Amid heightened protests last month, Ruto abandoned the finance bill, which aimed to implement several new taxes that Kenyans argued would further increase the already burdensome cost of living.
Ruto unveiled on Friday a series of austerity measures, including downsizing his advisory team and advocating for the dissolution of 47 state corporations.
These actions are aimed at addressing a budget gap resulting from the cancellation of proposed tax increases that were projected to generate $2.7 billion.
The concert on Sunday took place on Saba Saba Day, July 7, commemorating the start of protests in 1990 that led to the late leader Daniel Arap Moi’s government reinstating multi-party politics in the country.