Kenyan finance bill protesters attack Christian leaders

In Kenya, early life protests against deliberate taxation have served as a warning signal to the church.

He has shaken up a formidable institution, in a country where more than 80% of the people, including the President, are Christians.

Young protesters accused the church of cozying up to the federal government and took action against politicians who use the platform as a political platform.

At the latest on Sunday afternoon, Catholic leaders responded to the problem.

He organized a separate gathering for early life from churches in and around Nairobi to commemorate those killed by police in anti-tax protests.

Crowds of young people flocked to the Basilica of the Holy Communion to bring hope to the lifeless.

A few weeks ago, the Sunday Mass was interrupted by chanting from the altar of the basilica.

This was an extraordinary protest of the young crowd – the digitally savvy time was called Era Z or Gen-Z.

They felt that the church was not supporting their marketing campaign against the intriguing tax increase.

Now, Bishop Simon Kamomo attempts to convince them that they have been heard.

“I know being young sometimes you feel frustrated even in the church,” he said.

“We would like to renew our commitment to serve you. We may have made mistakes… May the Lord forgive us as a church, where even before God we have disappointed you.”

He also advised them to be patient to achieve their goals, be guided by the Church, and repent for any sins they may have committed throughout the protests.

“We don’t want to lose you, we don’t want to lose our youth,” he said with significant clarity. “Catholic bishops are very concerned about losing this generation,” he said, urging them to remain nonviolent and protect their lives.

The collection was punctuated by rousing songs and ended with deafening cheers as the crowd waved Kenyan flags.

Many who attended said the service was a welcome first step, albeit a late one.

“I feel like for the first time, the church is realizing that young people are serious,” said Yebo, who joined the protests before they turned violent and wished to remain anonymous.

“And I also feel that the church is not really on our side. They have been sitting on strike for a long time.

“The youth have indeed been more determined, they have brought more results than the church with the current economic transformation. “We can hear that the president is taking youth more seriously than the church.”

Church organizations advocated against the tax bill, but massive youth crowds took to the streets, forcing President William Ruto to back down.

Now that is not the most effective.

Gen-Z protesters are currently denouncing casual dating between Christians and the political establishment.

Repeatedly on the sidelines of the Accumulation, he discussed doubts about the visits of church leaders to the Condition Area, the presidential residence, throughout the protests.

Meshack Mwendwa said, “We believe the president is buying the church.”

On social media “church leaders are seen holding envelopes with executive leaders and permanent members of the government,” he said. “And that’s not what we want as young people, now is the time for change.”

One exchange he asked for, and was given, was an end to the sham practice of “Harambee” – politicians giving huge amounts of cash to the church.

Such donations should create political impact on Sunday morning.

The protest motion was aimed at putting a stop to that – they called it #OccupyChurch.

Some people also demonstrated against President Ruto’s presence at the church-sponsored tournament. However he supported his position.

“In matters of politics on stage, I agree 100%,” he said at a nationally televised media roundtable.

“We should not use the platform in churches or any other place of worship to promote politics. This is not correct.”

After a few days, he forbade position officials and family servants from making family charitable donations, and instructed the legal professional to create a mechanism for structured and clear contributions.

However the President himself has been part of this political tradition, turning the platform into a campaign platform.

“His political message was really driven within the church,” says Reverend Chris Kinyanjui, general secretary of the National Council of Church Buildings of Kenya (NCCK).

“So, people think they have a Christian government.”

Mr Ruto’s Christian story has made it difficult for many pastors to take him to their accounts, Rev Kinyanjui said. In return they are treated like “shareholders of this administration”, he claimed.

“Our President speaks from the pulpit. You know what the pulpit means? He cannot be questioned. So, he has become a very powerful figure in Kenyan politics and church circles. Gen-Z are questioning , and saying, we don’t know the difference between the government and the church.”

The BBC sought comment from the Kenyan government but a spokesperson said he was unable to comment at this time. He was speaking amid sweeping changes to the cabinet and security services by Mr Ruto in response to the protests.

The response of Kenya’s youth has the potential to reshape the way power works in Kenya.

They make up the vast majority of the population, and are excluded from predictable political dynamics.

The President is listening now, and so is the Church.

“We are the church,” Michele Mbugua said outside the basilica after the mass ended.

“If the church shows that they do not support us, we turn away from them. If we are not, then the church is not. Therefore, they will have to listen to our complaints. Because we are the church.”

Rev Kinyanjui goes further and outlines the weakness of the social contract with Kenya’s youth. He acknowledged that the NCCK leadership was concerned that Kenya might go the way of Sudan.

There, the Youth Revolution was quashed by a military coup, which ultimately led to civil war.

“We’re glad the President was able to avert (this crisis), because if he had signed that finance bill into law, who knows what we would have become,” he said.

Rev Kinyanjui said the NCCK came out “very quietly” against the Finance Bill. Going forward, they will adopt a strategy of “being active, being visible, becoming the voice and consciousness of the society… raising questions, correcting governance”.

“In a way, we see Gen-Z as doing God’s work, and I think that’s something that has woken up a lot of pastors.”