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President William Ruto found himself confronted by a wave of youthful dissent who were protesting against the finance bill 2024 as he attended a solemn church ceremony in Nyahururu, Laikipia County Sunday June 23rd. The occasion, meant to mark the consecration of Reverend Major Samson Mburu Gachathi as the third Bishop of ACK Nyahururu Diocese, was overshadowed by a resounding protest led by Generation Z against the recently proposed and unpopular Finance Bill.
Outside the ACK Nyahururu Diocese Church, where the ceremony was underway, young demonstrators gathered in force, chanting anti-Finance Bill slogans and singing defiant songs. Their impassioned voices reverberated despite being barred from the main event grounds. The scene was charged with tension, underscored by a heavy police presence and stringent security measures that included mandatory checks for all attendees, overseen by both uniformed officers and members of the Anti-Terror Police Unit.
President Ruto, speaking for the first time on the escalating protests that have gripped the nation since last week, acknowledged the youth’s grievances and expressed a commitment to engage directly with them. “These young people are our children. I commend them for coming out… We are going to have a conversation with you,” he said amidst the din of the demonstrators.
Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit of the ACK, also present at the ceremony, lent his support to the youth, urging the congregation to heed their calls. “Let us listen to Gen Z,” he said.
The protest, dubbed “Occupy Nyahururu” by its organizers, marked a significant escalation in the opposition to the Finance Bill 2024, which critics argue could impose undue financial burdens on ordinary citizens. The demonstrations have spread nationwide, resonating particularly strongly among Kenya’s youth population, who see the proposed legislation as a threat to their economic prospects.
Inside the church, amidst heightened security measures, only President Ruto and his deputy were granted speaking roles, effectively silencing the attending Members of Parliament. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua pointed out this exclusion, stating, “Only the President and I are allowed to speak; the rest of you will just stand.”
The security arrangements were thorough, with extensive searches conducted on all congregants and roadblocks set up around Nyahururu to prevent the influx of any potential provocateurs or contraband.
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