Businessman turned activist Khalif Kairo has clarified his decision to withdraw from the ongoing Gen Z-led anti-government protests.
In a statement on July 2, Kairo emphasized that any movement without clear objectives, leadership, and structure is bound to fail.
He stressed that his withdrawal was not due to threats but rather because he cannot associate with a “frenzied mob” that threatens the same country it claims to protest for.
“Any movement that doesn’t have objectives, clear leadership, clear structures or agenda is bound to be destroyed.”
“I withdrew not because of threats but because i cannot associate with a frenzied mob that is a threat to the same country it claims to protest for,” he said.
![Khalif Kairo Clarifies Why He Quit the Youth-Led Protests](https://thekenyatimes.com/storage/2024/07/Untitled-design-96.jpg)
Kairo Calls for Organized Approach
Kairo had previously faulted those opposing the formation of an organization to represent young people, arguing that many want the revolution started by the youth to remain leaderless so that they cannot achieve anything.
Also Read: Kairo, Hanifa Explain Why They Wont March to State House
He believes that a governance structure can be created through regular discussions and agreements within the movement.
The vocal activist stated, “I won’t talk much. But remember, they want you to be leaderless so that you cannot achieve anything.”
“There is no single organization in the history of mankind that has achieved anything by being ‘leaderless’. Even monkeys have committees. Please think. Put emotions aside.”
Khalif Kairo Faces Backlash for His Stance
Kairo’s decision triggered sharp criticism from a section of X users, who have accused him of making a U-turn on the youth-led revolution.
Keam_254 sarcastically remarked, “You said you will not comment anything about the gen Z movement but then you realized no one cares huh.”
Mitch Retoucher took a more personal approach, telling Kairo, “Baba, you promised to keep off. I thought by keeping off meant ‘let them do as they wish its none of my business.’ You sound like a man who’s dumped but doesn’t want to move on!”
Major Defender questioned Kairo’s motives, saying, “Si ulisema umeacha kuongelea hii story lmao, sema tu ulikuwa unataka kuwa leader.”
Benard Kavuli went even further, accusing Kairo of being “bought” and calling him a “fraud” unfit to advise the protesters.
A Section of Users Agree with Kairo’s Stance
However, not all users were critical of Kairo’s stance, some agreed that the protests have strayed from their original purpose.
Raymond Matata simply stated, “These protests have no agenda, na hivo ndio imeisha.”
Axel_yoh argued that while the timing for leadership was not right, the protesters are “advocating for a collective interest of the public.”
Also Read: Gen Z Protesters Disrupt Church Fundraisers, Demand End to Political Donations
CFC_Suc suggested that the protesters should re-group and go back to the drawing board.
“And we can all do that here like how it started. Re-group and let’s get to the drawing board lakini mnapenda sana banter” he said.
Despite all the backlash Kairo however, maintains that his focus is on building working systems in Kenya, as he believes this can unlock trillions in investment opportunities.
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![Khalif Kairo Clarifies Why He Quit the Youth-Led Protests](https://thekenyatimes.com/storage/2024/07/Untitled-design-1-2.jpg)
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