Days after 50 youths from the sprawling Kiandutu informal settlement in Thika were arraigned over allegations of blocking roads during the recent Gen Z protests, many young people from the area say they will no longer participate in street demonstrations.
With the country set to mark the Saba Saba commemoration on Tuesday, July 7, 2017, the youths expressed a resolve to stay away from protests saying previous demonstrations had left many of them with injuries, arrests and in some cases the loss of lives.
They said they had learned painful lessons from past incidents and would no longer allow themselves to be drawn into activities that expose them to violence or legal consequences.
Martin Njau, a youth leader from Kiandutu slums said that the youngsters are tired of bleeding for the political class to thrive adding that they usually bear the brunt of protests aftermath including property destruction, life-threatening injuries and even deaths.
“We have said enough is enough. We will not go to the streets and abet politicians make their statements. For long, the youth have suffered enough in these protests. Most of them have found themselves on the wrong side of the law, others injured and others have lost their lives,” Njau said.
The remarks were made after a fellowship service at Calvary Chosen Centre Church in Kiandutu, where the youths encouraged their peers to remain at home during planned demonstrations and avoid engaging in acts that could lead to the destruction of property or confrontations with security agencies. Church leaders led by bishop David Kariuki Ngari also appealed for calm ahead of the Saba Saba anniversary.
He urged young people across the country to uphold peace and shun violence, stressing the importance of safeguarding lives and property.
“Many families have been left in tears after losing their children during such protests while others are still nursing serious injuries. Properties worth millions have been destroyed. This should not be the case, let us all uphold peace and tranquility,” the Bishop said
He also challenged political leaders to exercise restraint and pursue peaceful means of addressing national concerns instead of actions that could heighten tensions or plunge the country into instability.
“As we head towards the general election, we are appealing to our political leaders to be agents of peace and desist from actions that can plunge our nation into chaos. They should understand that the elections will come and go but Kenya will remain,” Bishop Ngari said.
