![Omtatah's Surprise Appearance As Thousands Throng Uhuru Park Concert [PHOTOS]](https://i0.wp.com/bouncenationkenya.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Omtatahs-Surprise-Appearance-As-Thousands-Throng-Uhuru-Park-Concert-PHOTOS.jpg?fit=870%2C580&ssl=1 "Omtatah's Surprise Appearance As Thousands Throng Uhuru Park Concert [PHOTOS]")
That he is a darling of the people was evident from the way he was received at the memorial concert to loud cheers.
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah on Sunday, July 7 made a surprise appearance at Uhuru Park where a memorial concert dubbed Shujaaz Memorial Concert was held in remembrance of those who lost their lives during the Anti-Finance Bill protests.
Omtatah was one of the most vocal leaders to oppose the now impugned Finance Bill 2024 and opposed the Finance Bill 2023 through relentless court battles against the government’s move to impose punitive taxes to fund the country’s national budget.
That he is a darling of the people was evident from the way he was received at the memorial concert to loud cheers.
Photos and footage shared on social media platforms showed the legislator being mobbed by a crowd as the others made way for him to pass upon arrival at Uhuru Park.
Busia Senator, Okiya Omtatah with a group of Kenyans at Uhuru Park on July 7, 2024. /X
He climbed on the stage, waved to the crowd and danced in sync with Eric Wainaina’s ‘Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo’ song to wild cheers from Kenyans.
On the other hand, the event which pulled thousands of Kenyans mainly from Gen Z and Millenial category had a sombre affair as attendees mounted more than 30 crosses with the names and the ages of protestors who died inscribed on the crosses.
Youths mounted the crosses at a strategic distance away from the memorial concert while mourning the fallen colleagues. They further laid the Kenyan flag on the crosses as a show of patriotism.
Kenyans mount crosses in Uhuru Park on July 7, 2024 commemorating youth killed during anti-government protests. /PHOTO
A massive turnout in the thousands was witnessed in the city and in the park as Kenyans thronged the facility and observed a minute of silence to commemorate lost lives.
The concert was spiced up by an ensemble lineup of prominent Kenyan musicians who included Khaligraph Jones, Bien, Fena, Nameless, Octopizzo, Charisma, Juliani, Eric Wainaina, Sarabi Band, Graffiti Band, Mutoria and DJ Moh.
Others were DJ Double Trouble, Field Marshall Band, Njerae and DJ Lordiwn with emcees such as MC Kwambox, MC Kibunja and MC Njoria among others running the show.
“The government is listening now because of the protests. So we are kind of happy, but there’s also a lot of sadness because so many people died for the government to listen,” activist Boniface Mwangi, who was attending the concert, said.
“So we’re also mourning, and we’re telling the families of those who lost their loved ones, we’re with you, and we shall honour their sacrifice.”
Later, youths thronged Moi Avenue and turned it into a party scene, albeit temporarily, with anti-President William Ruto chants ringing the air as anti-riot police officers kept watch.
The concert was held on the same day the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) also conducted a memorial service for the fallen youth in its churches.
Several churches in the country marked the commemoration with the clergy pushing the government to release detained protestors.
According to data from human rights activists, 39 people lost their lives in the anti-government protests with hundreds more being arrested.
Both events were held on Saba Saba Day, July 7, which marks the day in 1990 when similar protests began that eventually forced the government of the late Kenya’s second president, Daniel Arap Moi to return the country to multi-party politics.
