Activist Boniface Mwangi has said the Gen Zs have been denied access to a venue in Mombasa County where the youth had planned to carry out an event to celebrate protestors killed during the anti-government demos.
In a statement on X, the activist said that the County had hinted at providing the venue following an earlier communication but has now declined saying the Gen Zs are opposed to Raila Odinga.
“We were to do #MashujaazLoveConcert this Sunday in Mombasa. We made our request in writing, and we were given verbal approval as we waited for the written approval. This morning the county government declined to give us a venue and said the Gen Zs movement is anti-Raila. Shame,” Mwangi said.
Raila Odinga factor
On Tuesday, July 9, 2024, a section of Kenyan youth expressed their dissatisfaction with Odinga’s move to endorse a multi-sectoral dialogue with President William Ruto which had previously been opposed by Gen Zs.
The youth, instead suggested that the president meet them on X Spaces to address the pressing issues of police brutality, corruption and unemployment.
The X Spaces meeting attracted over 160,ooo participants, with Ruto having to field questions from the angry youth.
The planned national multi-sectoral discussions will begin on Monday, July 15, and run through Saturday. 150 people are set to attend the meeting with 50 seats given to the youth.
The activist who turned 41 on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, lamented the move after organising a similar event on Sunday, July 7, 2024, at Uhuru Park in Nairobi.
Uhuru Park event
The event dubbed Shujaaz Memorial Concert proceeded after being cleared by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
“Uhuru Park belongs to Kenyans and Nairobians; it doesn’t belong to me, I’m just a custodian of this resource. I know it is currently a crime scene but I hope the Directorate of Criminal Investigations will complete its work promptly,” Sakaja said.
The concert went on as scheduled with attendees getting to be treated to a host of celebrated musicians including Eric Wainaina, Juliani, Nameless, Khaligraph Jones, and Octopizzo among other notable names in the industry.
The youth brought along flowers and crosses with the names of the youth killed during the demos, which were drilled into a lawn at Uhuru Park.
The event ended at 7 pm without much fracas between the youth and the police who had been notified to provide security.