The youth in Kenya have been mobilizing online under the hashtag #NaneNaneMarch in preparation for the planned protests.
According to posters circulating online, the aim of the planned march is to demand the resignation of President William Ruto, whom they accuse of being negligent in his administration’s response to pressing national issues.
In the posters detailing the events of the day, the Gen Zs said they would convene at Nairobi’s Central Business District waving placards demanding for Ruto’s resignation.
Major traffic disruptions are expected in and around Nairobi’s Central Business District, particularly as protesters gather.
Commuters should anticipate delays and consider alternative routes to navigate the city effectively.
Who are the planners of the Nane Nane March?
Though little is known about the march’s organizers, it is believed to primarily be spearheaded by a coalition of Gen Z activists.
Also Read: Gen Zs Issue Demand Letter to Media Houses Ahead of Nane Nane March
These young organizers have gained recognition for their previous demonstrations and their ability to rally support through social media.
Recap of the Gen Z Protests
The “Nane Nane” March is a continuation of the youth-led protests that have gained momentum over the past weeks.
The protests which began on June 18 were instigated by the now withdrawn Finance Bill 2024 and later evolved to a rallying call for the resignation of the Ruto administration.
Since then, the youthful protestors have launched several other protests, with the notable ones being the “Occupy Parliament”, which saw the breaching of Parliament grounds by Kenyan youth and loss of lives.
Other notable ones include Occupy State House scheduled on June 27, which failed to materialize due to heavy deployment of security forces along State House and its surrounding environs.
In a bid to deny politicians a platform on the Pulpit, Gen Zs led by a man called Mwabili Mwagodi, launched the “Occupy churches” demos.
These demos have seen the cancellation of events where politicians were expected to attend over fear of disruption by the youthful demonstrators.
Also, the youthful protestors announced an “Occupy JKIA ” protest on July 23 however their plans were thwarted by security forces who tightly sealed off all access points to the major International Airport.
Security Concerns
Given the history of violence associated with protests in the country, security is a major concern for both organizers and authorities.
In a statement on August 6, Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli assured that the police are well prepared to maintain peace across the country during the planned protests.
Also Read: Gen Zs Announce Fresh Protests ‘Nane Nane’, Unveil Line-up of Events
He urged protesters to carry out their demos in a peaceful manner warning that those who take advantage to cause chaos would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
“On Gen Zs, they have a message, and they have been heard. It is upon us now to differentiate between Gen Zs and opportunists who take advantage of those riots to cause mayhem, destruction of property and acts of violence that are not allowed by the Law,” the acting IG said.
Precautions
Non-participating members of the public are advised to take the necessary precautions so at to ensure their safety by
- Consider working from home on the day of the protest.
- Stay updated with information from authorities regarding safety measures.
- Businesses should reinforce security to protect their properties during the demonstrations.
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