Ichung'wa's dismissal of anti-Finance Bill protests sparks nationwide criticism

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wa's dismissal of the "Occupy Parliament" protests against the Finance Bill, 2024 as a movement of the privileged urbanites in Nairobi has received heavy criticism from various leaders across the country as out of tune with the current realities.

Ichung'wa had on Friday claimed the protesters are ignorant of the hardships faced by the common citizen in the country.

"Those you see protesting in Nairobi holding iPhones, getting to the protests venue via Uber and afterwards getting to KFC to have their meals and buying bottled water do not know what it means to lack electricity," the MP claimed during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Kenya Medical Training College at Eldama Ravine in Baringo County.

In an open letter to the MP, Hotelier Mohamed Hersi said contrary to Ichungw'a's assertions, the young protesters are people that should worry any right-thinking politician.

"Ichung'wa, you should be busy burning the midnight oil on how to handle these young, agitated youth. These are not your ordinary young, Mheshimiwa. These individuals have dismantled the tribal barriers that had previously separated them. When they speak, their intelligence and sophistication are evident. They are not as stupid and ignorant as previously assumed. You cannot tell them by their accent or how they speak," he said.

Mohamed also corrected the MP for claiming that the protests are only domiciled in Nairobi.

"These individuals possess no political affiliation, their freedom is akin to that of a bird. They are everywhere, from Meru to Kisumu, from Eldoret to Mombasa, from Kwale to Kiambu, from Garissa to Kisii and the list goes on," he said.

He further dismissed claims that the protesters are funded by politicians, saying they don't require any mobilisation fees as they earn their income and are engaged in their business ventures.

"Which is why, as you just mentioned, they collaborate to use Uber. There is nothing wrong with taking an Uber. If anything, the Uber driver would most likely be their tribe, Gen Z. These guys don't need handouts, as you state, they joined together to enjoy a decent meal after their protest. This would certainly piss off any politician," he said.

The unity of purpose, he added, saw Somali restaurants provide protesters with free food and water and the Jamia Mosque in town provide a haven for those injured during the protests.

"Ichung'wa, we are in uncharted waters, you should be burning the midnight oil to explore how to reach out to these youth. Well, to reach out is also easier said than done, it's a challenge because it's hard to figure out who is their leader and who is a follower," the hotelier said.

Ichung'wa's remarks were also criticised by Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda on Saturday who in a tweet called on the political class to tone down reckless rhetoric.

"We the political class must tone down the rhetoric and reflect. Kenyans are upset by calls to live within their means plus punitive taxes while witnessing wastage and corruption," she said.

At the same time, a joint statement by politicians Kabando wa Kabando, Ekuru Aukot and Philip Kisia termed Ichung'wa's remarks as an escalation of the ruling regime's Hustler versus Dynasty narrative to justify tax coercion.

"This desperate, erratic regime is planting thuggish "youth" defenders as a criminal enterprise to derail a nonviolent uprising against a regime gone lunatic," they said.

As fathers to the current crop of protesters (Millennials and Gen Zs), they further called on President William Ruto to address the grievances raised by Gen Z for all Kenyans.

"But before he even talks, the sense expected of a Head of State, he'd stop henceforth the criminal plot to delegitimise a constitutional endeavour by our resilient children for selves, indeed for us all, and posterity," they said.