Busia County senator Okiya Omtatah has expressed his support for the ongoing Gen Z led protests commending the movement for being tribeless, something he says has been the norm in Kenya.
In a statement posted on his Twitter(X) account the senator stated that the revolutionaries are filled with courage, determination and clarity of the constitution of Kenya.
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He noted that in their pursuit of justice and accountability they have slayed impunity, tribalism and corruption.
“Kenya must never go back to the sad days when tribal slogans such as “one of our own”, or “one against 42”, or “42 against one” or “we are being finished,” or “money has been poured,” polluted the public discourse, and allowed totally undeserving characters to govern this country,” he affirmed.
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The legislator cited that this was the first-time where protests had been witnessed countrywide including the political backyards of the president and his deputy.
“We must celebrate the fact that there have been demonstrations in areas such as Eldoret and Nyeri, the political backyards of the President and the Deputy President, respectively,” he stated.
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Omtatah Dismisses Tribal Politics
Likewise, he clarified that the country must never go back to the sad days when political groups were mobilized along ethnic lines and ostracized other ethnic groups and regions by portraying them as existential threats to their communities’ survival and well-being.
Also Read: Omtatah Gives Demands to Ruto Over His “Criminals” Remarks
The Busia senator added that those in authority must be held to account for the lives lost, abductions witnessed and countless injuries that occurred in the peaceful demonstrations.
Omtatah expressed his disappointments in the previous allegations that the protests were being funded by foreign agencies and that the movement aimed to capture the country.
“It is a total insult to our gallant youth to claim that they were inspired and driven in their patriotic endeavor by foreigners. Or that the Gen-Z are in the service of one ‘dominant tribe or powerful scheming to capture State power,” lamented the senator.
Additionally, he cited the need for Kenyans from all generations and walks of life to boldly stand up and make decisions to protect the new tribeless society anchored in the Constitution by working to create a country where one’s ethnic background is not a do or die affair.
Also Read: Orengo Slapped with 10 Demands Ahead of Gen Z Protests
Anti-Govt Protests
He condemned previous political blocks citing that they were obsessed with cronyism, tribal and regional identity, and not merit, therefore overriding consideration in running public affairs.
The Busia legislator highlighted Gen-Z demands as those of accountability and equity in cabinet appointments.
“The demand by the Gen-zs for accountability is not about one community taking over State power. When they demand that appointments must be based on merit it’s not that they want jobs to be given to people from any particular community,” he clarified.
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PHOTO/TKT
