POLICE KILLING OF 19-YEAR-OLD REX KANYIKE MASAI; OUR SOLIDARITY WITH GEN Z; AND, REJECTION OF KENYA KWANZA’S FINANCE BILL, 2024.
Thank you, members, of the media, for honouring our invitation.
Early this morning, we received the dreaded phone call informing us that Kenyan police had shot and killed 19- year-old Rex Kanyike Masai for exercising his constitutional right under Article 37 of our Constitution. It provides the right to peaceably and unarmed, assemble, demonstrate, and picket.
In a strongly worded statement, the African Union also reminded the Kenyan government that the right to peacefully protest is enshrined under Article 11 of the African Charter and must be respected. Rex, along with hundreds of thousands of other members of Generation Z, had assembled in Nairobi’s streets. He braved the cold front to hold up a placard and join in a protest song against the Kenya Kwanza regime. Rex, like all his comrades, was peaceful, unarmed and non-violent. But he was senselessly gunned down by a police bullet.
This is a tragic event with far-reaching consequences. Our Coalition is extremely disturbed by Rex’s fatal shooting. We have far too many memories of these tragedies, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and the community that has suffered such a terrible loss.
We stand with Rex, his family, and his comrades. We pledge to offer all the help required in seeking answers and justice. We demand that these perpetrators of police brutality be arrested and charged with murder in a court of law.
Fellow Kenyans, It is evident that there is a big problem with our security officers, as these tragic shootings are not isolated events. Not long ago, when Kenyans marched for Maadamano, 75 people were killed because certain police officers opted to fire live bullets into the peaceful crowds. This is
the return of a police force instead of a police service contrary to our Constitution.
Despite the publicly recorded crimes, the murders of the 75 victims are yet to be investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice. We have not forgotten and we will never forget. As Azimio and on behalf of the people, we demand that Inspector General Japheth Koome and Nairobi Regional
Commander Mr. Adamson Bunge immediately tender their resignations for failing to protect the peaceful demonstrators. We also demand that the Director of Public Prosecution bring charges against Koome, Bungei, and their rogue officers for the murders of Rex and the 75.
All Kenyans live matter and to our police service just know that one day you will be held accountable for all the lives lost. We further demand that all protestors detained illegally by
state security agencies be released immediately and unconditionally.
Ladies and gentlemen, Yesterday June 20, 2024, 115 Members of the National Assembly voted to Reject the Finance Bill, 2024. They stood in solidarity with the majority of Kenyans who have used all platforms available, to categorically Say No! to the punitive and irredeemable Bill. A number of them are here with us and our Coalition honors their contribution on the floor of the August House. It did not go unnoticed. You are indeed the PATRIOTS.
Inexplicably, the other 204 MPs stood against the Nation. They are the TRAITORS and the exemplification of the biggest betrayal to Kenyans. They are their generation’s personification of the homeguards who helped the foreign colonials occupy our country and enslave our people from 1895 up until we gained our independence in 1963. Just like those sullied homeguards, the 204 have turned a blind eye and deaf ear to the socio-political and economic injustices perpetuated on Kenyans by this contemptuously inept regime simply for material gain. To the 204 traitors, Kenyans know your names, your homes, your relatives, your businesses and your mobile phone
numbers. More importantly, they will use ALL CONSTITUTIONAL MEANS AVAILABLE to eject you from the House.
As a coalition, we urge all Kenyans whose Members of Parliament voted for the Finance Bill to begin the process of their Recall. They are Dishonourable Members. We further ask Gen Zs to develop innovative and creative ways of expediently and accurately effecting this.
We are also reminding them that very soon, the people of Kenya will be choosing the ballot. The 204 members and the 30 absentee cowards should prepare to go home because they will never be the electorate’s choice. As members of the Legislature have stood on notice, so too should the Executive. The Gen Z are coming for you!
In just under two years, the Kenya Kwisha has contrived to impoverish Kenyans. It is a cunningly clueless regime that has arbitrarily increased the cost of living, and the tax burden leaving Kenyans jobless and penniless. Manufacturers have and continue to close up shop and flee Kenya. Foreign Direct Investment has substantially decreased. And, instead of investing their hard-earned monies in the building industry to grow our economy, Kenyans in the Diaspora are sending back their dollars to sustain their families’ homes.
In under two years, Kenya’s coffers have been drained by shameless corruption. The Finance Bill, 2024 has budgeted corruption of Sh1 trillion. This is a deliberate act of treason. It is not just we in Azimio who are saying it. Over the last few days, Kenya, the region, and the world have witnessed our children rise against the Kenya Kwisha regime. From Nairobi to Kisii, Eldoret to Thika, Kilifi to
Kakamega, Mombasa to Embu, Nyeri to Garissa, Machakos to Lodwar and Nanyuki, Embu to Wajir, and Mandera to Kirinyaga, and many regions across our country, Gen Z have braved the weather’s cold front and punishing brutality of the security agents to publicly register their disdain for the Kenya Kwisha regime. They held up placards and sang in one voice: Ruto Must Go!
Zakayo Shuka!
These are not clout chasers concerned with growing their TikTok numbers as alleged by the Kenya Kwanza regime and its sympathizers. Their images have not been photoshopped or generated by AI. The Gen Z on the streets are your authentic constituents. To Zakayo, your employers have said Enough is Enough! They want you to Go home today and now; not on August 10, 2027.
Fellow Kenyans,
This is THE KENYAN SPRING, courtesy of Gen Z. We are witnessing an organic and tribeless collective gathering of our youth who are tired of KK’s wealth of bottomless lies, corruption, and disdain. Hour by hour their numbers grow. This is a significant turning point in the history of our nation,comparable to Saba Saba Day. We note that Kenya’s Gen Zs are issue-driven and non-
violent. They demand transparency from authorities and institutions. Despite their young age, they are politically engaged and eager to participate in civic activities. we say “msilale bado mapambano.”
Ladies and gentlemen, The grounds for the Recall of the 204 and the Impeachment of Zakayo have never been clearer and more present. As Azimio, we have started the process. Let us do it for Rex
and the fallen 75. And all those Kenyans suffering because of this betrayal of public trust. Azimio stands in solidarity with Gen Z and all aggrieved Kenyans in pursuit of social and economic justice. We will continue agitating for these changes through parliament, Courts, and on the streets until Zakayo comes down. Gen Z is watching. Kenya is watching and so is the world.
Thank you and May God Bless Kenya.