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Time is ripe for national healing

Protesters

A group of protesters march on Moi Avenue in Mombasa during the commemoration of victims of police brutality during the June 2024 protests.

Photo credit: Kevin Odit | Nation Media Group
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By  The Watchman

Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s quick denial that he issued a shoot-to-kill order is laudable.
  • Politicians are fond of promising youth jobs during election campaigns and ignoring them on taking office.

National healing • The Gen Z protests have shaken the government with a bold challenge, notes Sadia Akinyi. “What began as a complaint against the controversial Finance Bill 2024 has turned into the most vocal protests in recent memory. Bullets have been fired, blood spilt and arrests made. As the dust settles, we need national healing.” Her contact is [email protected].

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Quick denial • Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s quick denial that he issued a shoot-to-kill order is laudable, says Dave Tumbula. “Kenyans fought so hard for many years to defeat the single-party dictatorship, leading to the promulgation of the quite progressive 2010 Constitution that guarantees the people’s rights and freedoms. We cannot afford to return to the repressive old days.”

Related

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Protests conundrum • Since the peaceful protests are always infiltrated by destructive criminals, resulting in deaths and destruction of property, Joseph Macharia wonders what the way forward is. He poses: “Do we, as a country, stop the demonstrations altogether and wait or just persevere until the 2027 elections and come out to vote with our conscience?” [email protected].

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False promises • Politicians are fond of promising youth jobs during election campaigns and ignoring them on taking office, says Kaumbuthu Aritho. “Young people are sidelined during nominations to public jobs and whenever projects such as the affordable housing are started. They need to make money for their upkeep and education.” His contact is [email protected].

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Mental illness • It’s not uncommon to hear people asking others if they are “mad”, indicating disapproval of their conduct, notes Mwangi wa Karuga. “The word, ‘mad’ refers to insanity, which is an unstable state of mind. Insanity is a disease. Society should stop demeaning people suffering from mental illnesses and support them.” His contact is [email protected].

Have a supportive day, won’t you!