2024 has been an extraordinary year as it has awakened Kenyans, especially the youth, in governmental affairs. This followed the decline of the Kenyan economy and the fall of major sectors such as health and education. The year has seen a lot of demonstrations from both citizens and professionals in different fields.
The Infamous Finance Bill
The introduction of the Finance Bill 2023/2024 began as a wake-up call to the Kenyan people, with calls for the cancellation of the oppressive finance bill being ignored by the authorities. Public participation wasn’t done adequately, and allegedly, the results were compromised.
During the Finance Bill protests in July 2024, President Ruto addressed protesters on social media, stating: “I apologize for the arrogance and show of opulence by legislators and ministers from my party.” He also pledged to act against “rogue” police officers who fired at unarmed civilians during the protests. It was also during these protests that he claimed the events of “occupying” the parliament were “treasonous,” referring to the protesters as criminals.
The Corrupt Adani
After the cancellation of the Finance Bill, the government introduced a PPP with the infamous and corrupt Adani Enterprises, intending to lease Jomo Kenyatta International Airport without conducting public participation. The people declined the Adani deals, which again fell on deaf ears until Gautam Adani was indicted in New York. Members of parliament who had earlier accepted and defended Adani changed their stance to support the cancellation.
Nyandarua Senator Methu Kaba Muhia criticized fellow MPs for their inconsistent stance, stating: “You defend Adani in the morning but stand to clap when Adani deals are canceled in the afternoon.” Despite the cancellation of the Adani deal, it is still unknown what the terms were, and the conditions in the contract remain hidden despite various bodies asking for transparency.
Introduction of New University Funding Model
This alone can’t summarize the year 2024, as the government also introduced a new university funding model. Instead of reducing the burden on Kenyan parents, it gave them sleepless nights as some were unable to afford the costs, forcing their children to quit school. The president went ahead and created a task force to look into the matter, but there hasn’t been any change.
Madzao Rocha, President of the Student Organization of Nairobi University (SONU), welcomed the High Court’s ruling declaring the new funding model unconstitutional. This brought a lot of joy to the comrades when it was ruled unconstitutional.
Is It a Scam? SHA/SHIF
The SHA/SHIF programs that replaced NHIF as the main medical insurance cover became a nightmare for Kenyans who were unable to cover medical expenses, and SHA was of no help, which led to the deaths of some patients. While the SHA and SHIF were established with the intention of improving Kenya’s healthcare system, they have encountered substantial criticism and allegations of being scams. Concerns revolve around the allocation of funds, implementation challenges, and the overall transparency of the process. Addressing these issues is crucial to restoring public trust and ensuring the effectiveness of healthcare reforms in the country.
Abductions & Demonstrations
With all that has happened, the government has done little to make changes, except abducting and targeting those who criticize them. During the protests, some youths were abducted, and some killed. The protests that were supposed to be peaceful were filled with chaos, including water cannons, property destruction, and killings.
The year also saw a rise in femicide cases, leading to peaceful demonstrations on the outskirts of towns, which were later disrupted by police officers tear-gassing the demonstrators. The year was filled with demonstrations from the beginning. Citizens began a slogan “Occupy,” starting with occupying the parliament, and the trend continued.
Conclusion
2024 has been a year of awakening for Kenyans. The decline in the economy and major sectors, coupled with widespread demonstrations and government inefficiencies, highlighted the need for transparency, justice, and inclusive governance. While the year was challenging, it showcased the resilience of Kenyans, especially the youth, in fighting for their rights and holding leaders accountable.