Kenya youths protest echoes Nigeria’s unrest, raising questions on handling African youth movements and a troubling déjà vu for the continent.
As Kenya’s youths echo the fervor of Nigeria’s #EndSARS movement, one can’t help but question: is this the standard response to youth-led protests in Africa? Protests against police brutality and government policies have taken a similar tragic turn, raising concerns about the systemic oppression of dissent across the continent.
In Nigeria, the ECOWAS Court of Justice recently found the Federal Government guilty of human rights abuses during the #EndSARS protests, specifically at the Lekki Toll Gate, where live bullets were fired into a crowd of unarmed protesters. This ruling, although a victory for the movement, leaves a burning question: who gave the order? And does this verdict solve the problem of police brutality? It seems unlikely as the struggle for accountability continues .
Meanwhile, in Kenya, youths are facing their own ordeal. Protests erupted last month against proposed tax hikes, leading to violent confrontations with the police and resulting in over 50 deaths. The protesters, demanding President William Ruto’s resignation and reforms to tackle corruption, have been met with tear gas and live ammunition. The protests, largely organized online by young Kenyans, signify a major crisis for Ruto’s administration, just two years into his presidency .
The police have banned demonstrations in central Nairobi, citing threats from organized crime gangs. However, this move has been criticized as an infringement on constitutional rights. Activist Boniface Mwangi highlighted on social media, “The police and President Ruto cannot suspend constitutional rights” .
In a desperate bid to quell the unrest, Ruto offered to form a broad-based government, but the opposition rejected this, calling instead for a constitutional convention. Despite these overtures, the protests have only intensified, with protesters demanding immediate action on corruption and police accountability .
The echoes of #EndSARS are unmistakable. The Kenyan police, like their Nigerian counterparts, have been accused of using excessive force and carrying out arbitrary arrests. Human rights groups report that dozens of protesters have been shot dead, some dismembered bodies found in Nairobi’s rubbish tips, and many others subjected to torture .
As the ECOWAS court’s verdict on #EndSARS illustrates, justice for protesters comes at a painfully slow pace. Will it take another four years for Kenyans to find justice? And more importantly, should the youths have to die every time they stand up for something right?
The verdict from the ECOWAS Court raises hopes but also skepticism. It mandates the Nigerian government to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the Lekki Toll Gate massacre and to compensate the victims. Yet, one year after the protests, no security personnel have been held accountable, reflecting a broader trend of impunity across the continent .
Kenya’s scenario seems to be following a similar script. The resignation of Police Chief Japhet Koome amidst the protests is seen as a minor concession. President Ruto’s recent sackings of key cabinet members, including the Attorney General, appear as attempts to placate the angry populace. However, these gestures are insufficient without substantive reforms and accountability for the killings and human rights abuses .
As Kenya’s youths continue to chant “Ruto must go” amidst tear gas and gunfire, the parallels with Nigeria’s #EndSARS movement become starkly apparent. Both movements reflect a broader discontent with governance, corruption, and police brutality in Africa. The question remains: will African leaders heed these cries for justice, or will history continue to repeat itself, with more youths paying the ultimate price for standing up for their rights?
Sources:
- Sources:**1. “ECOWAS Court Finds Nigerian Government Guilty of #EndSARS Protest Abuses” – [CNN]
- “Kenya Protests: Why Young People Are Demanding President Ruto’s Resignation” – [BBC]
- “Kenyan Police Ban Protests in Central Nairobi Amid Rising Unrest” – [Reuters]
- “President Ruto’s Crisis: Resignations and Sacking Amidst Protests” – [Al Jazeera]
- “Human Rights Watch: Police Brutality in Kenya’s Protests” – [Human Rights Watch]
- “Amnesty International Report on #EndSARS One Year After” – [Amnesty International]
