Anti-government protests lose momentum in Nakuru
Police disperse the few protesters who turned up in Kenyatta Avenue on July 23 in Nakuru.
On June 20, Nakuru witnessed something that had never happened before. Huge crowds of young people brought business to a standstill as they protested in one voice against the Finance Bill.
For the Gen Zs marching through the streets of Nakuru with placards, the protest seemed personal. Protesters could be heard saying that the sheep had been sheared and they could see the wolf in the government, noting that the protest was about there future.
Protesters Match along Kenyatta Avenue on June 25 during the anti- government protest in Nakuru.
Brave young people taking responsibility for protecting their future by taking to the streets to peacefully demonstrate against what they call an 'oppressive government'.
I happen to be in several of the Gen Z WhatsApp groups from different constituencies and could see that this generation is not in the era of young people thinking about getting a new PlayStation or discussing topics like hitting on girls.
They dissected the Finance Bill in these groups and also used them to plan routes to ensure their march was successful and their voices were heard.
I was there and I could see that the chest forward as we marched was the attitude on the streets.
A youth displays reject finance bill placard during demonstrations in Nakuru.
When they said 'Punda amechoka' their revolt had a purpose.
It can be said that people took to the streets for many reasons, you can't isolate it to one key issue; it's the opulent lifestyles of our leaders, unfortunate laws that people say make living in the county unbearable, a course to see accountability from those in government, to stand against police brutality and killings.
In Nakuru alone, three people were shot and killed in the city centre, while others were admitted to various hospitals with injuries.
But as the demonstrations continue for a month now, we can still see the torch burning in other counties, but is that of Nakuru dying out?
A youth displays a Punda Amechoka posters during the anti- government protest on June 25 in Nakuru.
Every Tuesday and Thursday, the number of people who turn up to protest in Nakuru has dwindled as the days go by.
This week, on July 23, only a handful of protesters could be seen on Kenyatta Avenue and they were dispersed by police. By 3pm, calm had returned to the city centre.
On Thursday July 25, no protesters were seen on the streets while other countries were experiencing the protest.
Could it be that the protests hav lost sense of direction for Nakuru residents or are the demonstrations just dying out?