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You have earned our respect, ODM party tells protesting youths

Protesters in Isiolo County are pictured in a standoff with the police during anti-government demonstrations on July 2, 2024. (Photo: Waweru Wairimu/EV)

By Maureen Kinyanjui | Tuesday, July 2, 2024

The youth have been raising funds for those injured during Tuesday's demonstrations against Finance Bill 2024.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has commended Gen Zs for what it termed as their exemplary organisation of the ongoing anti-Finance Bill protests.

Addressing the media on Tuesday, the party through its Secretary General Edwin Sifuna highlighted the youth's ability to quickly raise funds to cover hospital bills for injured protesters as one of their notable achievements.

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"As a mass movement that has been on this journey of true liberation for a long time, we know how difficult it is to achieve the things that we have seen you do. You have earned our respect as a party and we salute you," he said

"We are in awe of the Kenyan youth who through their unity of purpose have stood with their fallen colleagues and raised money in a very short time to pay hospital bills for the injured," Sifuna added.

The youth have been raising funds for those injured during Tuesday's demonstrations against Finance Bill 2024.

Millions of funds which were contributed by Kenyans of goodwill to assist in offsetting medical and funeral expenses of fellow protesters injured and killed during the anti-Finance Bill demonstrations were sent to their families.

The funds were channelled through an M-Changa account set up by The EastleighVoice reporter Hanifa Adan who is also a social activist. Last week, she sent Sh2 million to go towards the funeral expenses of Rex and Evans, who were reportedly felled by police during the demonstrations.

In addition, the ODM party also condoled with those who have lost their lives in standing up against the oppressive Finance Bill, 2024.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights on Monday reported that 39 people had been killed by police officers, with the youngest being 12-year-old Kennedy Onyango.

Also, the protests which have entered its third week have seen at least 361 people severely injured countrywide.