Ulianza uvumi
Uvumi ukageuka nong'ono
Lakini mara hii hapakua na hofu kamwe.
Hashtags vikawa taharuki,
Wakadhani Sisi Tu watoto, twacheza.
Now the revolution has been televised,
Far and wide to be memorised,
They have killed our brothers and sisters
We shall not relent.
How did all this start, you may ask.
I am writing so that we can have a story, one that can go down into history.
Or get a publisher in fact.
A gen Z revolution!
It started with a finance bill that was set to put our country in ruins. To cripple a nation that was just learning how to crawl.
The youth decided to wake up and come against all the atrocities that were happening. So it began on twitter (X). With hashtags like #rejectthefinancebill.
Before the oppressor noticed, it became a thing on our social apps.
Then the posters happened. A peaceful protest with an aim to be heard. To let out voices speak.
So on the first day, we walked the streets of Nairobi armed with only bottles of water and firimbi. To call for attention.
What did the police do? Teargas was released.
We marched the streets, demanding something more flavourful. Something decent that was worth the tax we pay. Something worthy of our standards.
Our influencers represented us well. With people you've never imagined them on the streets of Nairobi. Tiktok fyp was full of maandamano things. A revolution by the youth for the youth and our parents. Something the nation has never seen before happened. No property was destroyed, nothing was stolen, no police was hurt and the lawyers stood with the youth.The media stations wanted to hear more so they called in the outspoken guys.
Most of us were arrested, but we sang at the back of the police cars vibing to Sunday school songs and others like 'zakayo shuka', 'bado mapambano' and so on.
Vibes and insha'Allah Hadi central station. We took selfies before they recalled that they needed to take our phones away.
End of the first day.
Wingu likatanda,
Watu wakajitokeza kusimama kidete,
Nchi ikachemka,
Maboyzzz wakajitokeza,
Millennials nao hawakuachwa nyuma,
Wazazi wakahofia watoto wao lakini hii haikua kijisababu ya kutoendelea na tulichokianza.
Beginning of the second day.
People came out in numbers. Throughout cities and small towns in Kenya. See how Jesus in John 1:11 wasn't received in his home town, same way the oppressor was rebuked by the people from his home town.
This time round , the wish was respected. Only the one they could afford I suppose. Flavoured water with some sprinkle of peppermint as the gen Z called it. Hawa watu hawajui venye gen Z wamezoea makali jamani.
They faced the teargas, washed down the road by water trucks and still stood up. This time nothing could stop them.
The finance bill was under reading in parliament, and the members of parliament who betrayed us were noted. Printouts were released with the name of the MPs displayed.
Our people in diaspora were happy, they joined the movement with others even walking the streets in US and Australia with flags held high. A symbol of uzalendo, patriotism.
In as much as we are miles apart, they are still our people.
Poet mumbi released an interesting spoken word on Instagram. Being away in Copenhagen, she has awed millions.
Everything in our country came to a standstill. People with birthdays that week would celebrate the following year, those with weddings had to postpone it, the memelords were to post only about rejecting the bill. Every end of a statement had to be accompanied by the famous hashtag.
Back in the streets, the people held the teargas canisters and threw them back to the cops. Some put them in the pockets and dubbing them as the newest scent in town. The crows respected the day and landed on people's heads. Even the birds of the air knew if this bill was passed they won't have leftovers to eat, right?
Our heroes were then abducted, one by one. With others being threatened on twitter to pull down their threats. It went wild. Other posters were released with headlines like release, shad, Franje, Oguda, Drey and others.
One of us was killed, Rex. The killer cop was revealed by Gen Z. I don't know what happened to him.
The nation came together to contribute money to the family, a generous gesture, not enough to bring Rex back but the oppressor must pay. That was what they said.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
End of the second day.
I have never learnt of so much history in a short while like I did then. I have never been keen but this generation of baddies made it all make sense. We needed a movement like the one in Sri Lanka or Burkina Faso. We appreciated Wangari Mathaai much more. A standard was set.
A timetable was released, each day with an event that was to take place. All music was to stop ten minutes to midnight on clubs and pubs that Gen Z were, Sundays to stop corruption in churches and interrupting services until vows were made to not allow politicians in churches. Everything was planned out.
Nani kasema mimba ni ulemavu?
Wajawazito walijitokeza,
With posters held out wakisema kwani wasinyeshe,
Funny how they wouldn't in a while but oh well.
Miradi ikawa kupiga luku (dressing up),
Huku tukitetea matakwa yetu
Najua wataka Sana nikujuze zaidi Yale yaliyojiri siku ya tatu ,
Vurumai ikatanda,
Nipe muda niutulize donda.
Written by Caroline Jemutai Bett
Wako mpendwa.
hello lovely readers,
aside from doing poetry, i am a storyteller,
probably a beautiful tapestry of both.
If you enjoyed this entry, like, share widely, save for later, tell your future kids about it, here to make history.
leave a like, comment and your feedback is invaluable.
love and light!
Remember to come back for day 3, where hell broke loose.
you can find me on instagram at _mutai.mutinda
or email me on bettcaro92@gmail.com
stay safe! reject the bill 2024