“Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph.”

Haile Selassie
(Former Emperor of Ethiopia)

Dear Active Citizen,

What do you do when you have to pay outrageous taxes but your president’s wristwatch is worth 11 years of work from a minimum wage earner?!🤕

President William Ruto of Kenya decided to spice things up with a 16% tax while justifying the increases as necessary to reduce the national debt, which stands at 68% of GDP, far above the 55% recommended by the World Bank and IMF.

Guess what? Kenyans aren’t throwing a thank-you party!

This week, thousands of Kenyans took to the streets in major cities like Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu to oppose the Finance Bill 2024/25 and proposed tax hikes, leading to unrest and clashes with law enforcement. Who would blame them? Policies that exacerbate economic inequities and high living costs should be revolted against. Over 30 people died and many others were injured as a result of the demonstrations.

Update: The bill was eventually revoked. The people spoke up and their voices were clear and resounding! However, the protests have morphed to #RutoMustGo. Next week promises to be interesting.

Now, let's quickly flash back.

The protests in Kenya bear a striking resemblance to Nigeria's #EndSARS protests in 2020 - both driven by citizens’ grievances. If you remember correctly, on 20.10.20, lives were lost during a peaceful demonstration at the Lekki Toll Gate, highlighting the dire consequences of governmental disregard for citizens' voices.

It is also important to note that leaderless movements / protests often become challenging. We wish our Kenyan comrades the very best as they occupy their "Office of the Citizen" and demand accountability.

Water No Suppose Get Enemy!

Our #OnePerson for June is Wilson Atumeyi!

Wilson’s dedication to community development inspired him to establish WaterWide, a non-profit tackling water, sanitation and hygiene issues in rural areas.

Find out more about this spectacular cause here.

#OOTC Segment: A Must-Watch!

Catch us on the WAYS Show next Monday as we discuss the inspiring youths of Kenya, how they have held their leaders accountable, and how they can inspire Nigerian youths too.

Catch the show every Monday at 8p.m. on Plus TV CH 408 - DSTV, CH 308 - StarTimes, and Royal Roots TV CH 145 - GOTV. 

Comic of the Week

Stay safe this weekend.
The EiE Nigeria Team.