Boniface Mwangi- “Bring back NHIF we don’t want SHIF”

Tuesday is expected to have more protests aimed at increasing pressure on the government to take responsibility for the lives lost during the previous protests triggered by the unpopular Finance Bill of 2024. 

President William Ruto has made some significant concessions since the initial Occupy Parliament protests on June 18, including withdrawing the bill and dismissing his entire Cabinet except for one minister. 

However, these actions have not satisfied the youthful demonstrators, known as Gen Z.

Activist Boniface Mwangi, confirmed on Monday evening that the peaceful protests will proceed as planned until the government accepts responsibility for the deceased protesters.

“So let’s not think we have won anything yet because we don’t have anything tangible we can say we have won. Why can’t the President call the families of those who died and apologise because he hasn’t done any of that,” Mwangi said.

The government has acknowledged at least 25 protester deaths during the recent protests, while the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported 41 deaths and 360 injuries. 

Mwangi, a key figure in the anti-government protests, emphasized the need for a sustained fight for justice for the victims during a virtual town hall dialogue organized by Africa Uncensored.

“The thing is what we are asking for at this particular stage is justice for the victims, we need compensation for the victims and all the alleged killer cops prosecuted,” he said.

“We are also saying that the housing levy needs to be scrapped, bring back NHIF we don’t want this SHIF thing. The problem we have is that if we leave the streets, he will not listen to us,” Mwangi added.

Mercy, another speaker at the town hall dialogue, also attended by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, said that what they are asking for goes beyond merely taking accountability on the government’s side.

“One life lost is one too many,” she said, adding that “repentance without restitution is just hot air”.

“We cannot afford to play a game of numbers when it comes to people’s lives. We cannot come and ask whether it was 40 people or whether it was one person, 15 or 30 people,” she said.

The protesters, she added, also want the President to go over and beyond sacking his Cabinet and hold the dismissed officeholders accountable for any commission or omission on their end.

She said they will not applaud the sacking of the Cabinet and stop at that.

“We cannot clap for fish for swimming, that’s what it’s supposed to do,” she said.

Mwangi said those who won’t be able to be part of the protests should stay home in solidarity of the protests.

“As Omtatah said, the streets are the biggest stage you can ever have because when you destruct people’s lives, the government listens and that’s why the Constitution gives the right to protest.”

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