OPINION: This is our Cry, Is Being Poor In Kenya A Crime?

By Social Justice Working Group,

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 8- We the patriotic citizens of Kenya, on July 7, we marked thirty-one years since the first Saba Saba March in Kenya when patriots who had enough of the chocking fist of the Moi regime pushed for the repealing of section 2A and started the journey for constitutional reforms.

This was the birth of resistance against neo-colonialism, infringement on the freedoms of speech, freedom to organize and dictatorship.

We remember and celebrate the efforts, dedication and sacrifice of our gallant soldiers.

Under the current regime led by (President) Uhuru Kenyatta, the state has deliberately made it clear to Kenyans that they are contemplating to return us back to Moi’s style of dictatorship by shrinking the civic spaces and intentionally ignoring the rule of law and opting to mutilate the constitution.

It is however sad that gains from the saba saba movement and consequent resistance for a better Kenya are being disrespected and shrunk by a greedy, corrupt, dictatorial regime whose only interest is to protect themselves and the loot they steal every day from a starved Wanjiku.

Attempts to take us back to the dark days of totalitarianism are being cemented by a government that has no respect for the law and has transformed the police force into a tool of oppression against the masses it is supposed to serve and protect. This is unacceptable.

Fifty-seven years after independence, life has remained undignified and unbearable for a majority of Kenyans that live in abject poverty.

We have witnessed a massive loss of jobs among the populace and a terrible economic crisis due to corruption and now the COVID 19 pandemic.

The state has without shame continued to oppress the masses even in this time. Many continue to die by the bullet in the hands of a punitive and brutal police for not wearing masks, or being caught out during curfews and yet no real consequence befalls the perpetrators.

We have witnessed inhumane mass evictions in Kariobangi and Ruai, where thousands where left in the cold right at the time the government was directing people to stay at home.

Children are stranded, cut off from public education and with no access to the online learning yet the privileged few continue with their classes uninterrupted. Are our children of a lesser God?

Is being poor a crime in Kenya? Our taps have remained dry and we wonder when we see the campaigns and directives to wash our hands constantly are they aware of our situation. How disconnected can a government be to its people?

The pandemic has exposed the failed and unjust system where the law and resources only serve a privileged few who have held the country hostage.

During this time, their interest and energies have been invested in nonsensical political whims and gimmicks and the unmerited desire to mutilate our constitution.

Ten years on after the promulgation of the constitution, the bandit regimes have stubbornly refused to implement it.

Now they want to consolidate their powers and accommodate their interests to ensure that even after their terms, they continue clinging onto power.

This is immoral and dispiriting to the patriots of Kenya.

Therefore; This Saba Saba our demand is crystal clear.

• The state should respect the court ruling that declared the BBI process unconstitutional and embark on fully implementing the 2010 constitution.
• Immediate lifting of the dusk to Dawn curfew.
• Immediate end to Extra Judicial Executions, Police brutality and State repression.
• Access to free and quality healthcare, Education and housing for everyone as expressed in article 43 of the 2010 constitution.
• The state-imposed taxes on fuel and basic household commodities like bread and cooking gas must be scrapped immediately.
• The state must put more efforts into ending gender-based violence and curb the increasing wave of femicide in the country.
• The state must abide to the rule of law and respect and strengthen independent institutions like the judiciary.
• The escalating corruption and embezzlement of government funds must be brought to end and the perpetrators be brought to books.

All these demands are well captured and collapsed into the document you so adamantly refuse to implement. We the people are sending out a notice to all representatives we sent to represent us.

It is during this time your loyalty and servant leadership will be tested. If at any time the motion to alter the constitution is brought to the August house, it is your Wanjiku given duty to shoot it down and send it to the gutters where it belongs otherwise; we shall visit your betrayal. If it is brought to us we shall in one voice reject it. This is Wanjiku’s unequivocal call.

We shall not retreat or surrender until Article 1 of our constitution is valid and respected. People’s power will never be defeated. We are Kenyans and Kenya is our business. Long Live Saba Saba. The Power Belongs to the Masses!

The petition was presented by the group to Kenya’s National Assembly on July 7, 2021.