Nairobi-based photographer popularly known as Ondivow Photography has sparked reactions among Gen Z after sharing videos showing the violent side of protests.
In the videos shared on Friday evening, protesters are seen dodging tear gas cannisters thrown to them by police officers while others carried logs of wood.
Some scenes in the video shared by Ondivo showed protesters throwing back the canisters to police officers while some were captured vandalizing key infrastructure in Nairobi CBD.
The Kenya Times could not however independently verify whether the videos were filmed during the Tuesday June 18 and Thursday June 20 protests.
The video posted on 21st June,2024 sparked reactions from Kenyans on social with some condemning him for focusing on the wrong side while others termed the videos as fake.
An X user by the name Eric Musau condemned him as he said, “this never happened stop spreading false information”.
Additionally, others expressed their anger as they asked him to pull the videos down.
“Pull it down, inaccurate account of events,” X user by the name Axelis said.
Gen z Bash Popular Photographer
Likewise, others went ahead to insinuate that the photographer had been bought off to post the videos.
“Hope the few coins you gonna use it for the rest of your life without ever working again,” Wangui Macharia on X claimed.
Additionally, some users reported his accounts terming him as they cancelled him for allegedly framing the protests as violent.
Also Read: Gen Zs Announce 7 Days of Rage Including Occupy Churches
“It’s been four years since I reported someone on Twitter. You made do it. To everyone who is reading my comment, please report this account,” X user by the name Ja Loka urged.
Ondivow photography runs an X and Instagram account with a following of approximately 13,000 followers.
Previously, the photographer had posted videos of the Azimio led demonstrations over high cost of living in the country, on July 7th, 2023.
At the time, Ondivow was thrust to the limelight for his bravery that saw him capture exclusive videos of the exchange between police officers and protesters in Kibera slums.
However, videos on previous demonstrations attracted positive feedback on Instagram from the audience as they hailed his photography skills.
“Big Up, you are bringing up us live from the field,” commented Pappy_nyne_official on Instagram.
In addition, a user by the name bantu_babes termed the photographer as bold to be filming directly in the middle of the conflict.
This comes after the advent of the anti-finance bill protests led by Gen Z stated on the 18th, July ,2024 rejecting the passing of proposed 2024 finance bill.
Anti-Finance Bill Protests Programme
The Gen Z-led protests are set to go on throughout the week according to a schedule released on Friday detailing a raft of activities.
Also Read: Rex Masai Shooting: Probe Launched Into Protester’s Death After Uproar
On Saturday, June 22, at midnight, bars and clubs frequented by GenZ will pause their music to join in a national chant demanding President Ruto’s resignation and rejecting the Finance Bill.
On Sunday, June 23, protesters will deplatform politicians in churches, preventing any who voted “YES” on the bill from speaking.
Later on, Monday, June 24, constituents will visit the offices of MPs who supported the bill, encouraging them to “Endelea hivyo hivyo!” (Keep it up!). They will also boycott businesses of these MPs and start collecting signatures to recall them.
Come Wednesday, June 26, demonstrators will visit the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Inspector General of Police to demand justice for Rex, a man who was killed in the protests.
On Thursday, June 27, protesters plan to block main roads leading to Nairobi and #OccupyStateHouse to prevent President Ruto from signing the bill into law.
The protests will reflect the deep frustration and determination of Kenyans to fight against what they perceive as a grave injustice.
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