Young Kenyans return to the streets today, especially to commemorate the victims of previous days of anti-government protests. After their agitations and the media and social uproar triggered by the withdrawal of the financial bill and promises of 'good governance' by President Ruto (but politicians' promises, as they are known, leave time to be found), Generation Z members, through the activists and bloggers most followed on the trendy social platforms (X and TikTok), have decided to organise peaceful rallies, concerts and other forms of commemoration of those who died during the protests.
The number of victims, according to human rights organisations, is at least 41, but the investigations of the IPOA, the independent police monitoring body, concern more than 50 people, at least 272 arrests and 30 kidnappings.
Parallel to the peaceful demonstrations, some of the more 'antagonistic' social spaces have set up meetings to continue their campaign for Ruto's resignation, for not yet giving clear answers on the fight against corruption. In Nairobi, the hub of dissent and amplifier of Kenya's affairs not only in its territory, a concert is scheduled to take place in Uhuru Park, to which the county has given permission, but some demonstrators have made appointments via social word of mouth in the CBD.
As a result, the police are on high alert and will close many entrance roads to the centre of the capital.
Other demonstrations will take place all over the country, also considering that 7 July is a historic date for protests in Kenya, namely the anniversary of the so-called 'Saba Saba Day', which in 1990 first brought thousands of citizens to the streets to demand the end of President Arap Moi's 'regime' and the beginning of the democratic era, with real multipartyism and more powers to parliament.
Even then, the demonstration ended with incidents, casualties and arrests, including that of the current, long-time opposition leader Raila Odinga.