This article has been reposted from GLOBALNYT
Editor: Sven Johannes
Writer: Morten Scriver Andersen
Njeri Mwangi is one of the young Kenyans who has had enough of the country’s leader, William Ruto. She believes that Danes should demand development for the money the government donates to the Kenyan government.
25-year-old Njeri Mwangi has been an activist since she graduated from high school at the age of 17. Photo: DreamTown
A few days before the Danish youth gathered at this year’s Roskilde Festival to party and listen to music, Kenya’s youth trooped up in the capital, Nairobi, to hold the country’s government accountable.
In Nairobi, 18 people died from police bullets and batons.
25-year-old Njeri Mwangi is one of Kenya’s many disgruntled young people who showed up. Together with other young people, she has organized what should have been a peaceful demonstration. A reminder of the 62 people who died on the same day last year in large demonstrations against a controversial tax reform.
Now she is at Roskilde Festival. On Sunday, she and the Danish NGO Dreamtown planted trees at Dyrskuepladsen in memory of the people who have lost their lives in violent clashes with the police. She has planted such memorial trees in Nairobi for several years.
“But the reason why I think it’s important to do it at Roskilde Festival as well is to connect the struggle that is going on in the Global South to the Global North. So that people with privileges can also acknowledge their privileges and take the time to see what is happening in the rest of the world. I believe that together we can create solidarity and stop violations of human rights and social injustice.”
We have no choice
The struggle Njeri Mwangi talks about is multifaceted. It is about lack of education, jobs, a functioning health system and corruption in Kenya.
That struggle culminated when the country’s president last year tried to introduce a tax reform that would hit the already hard-hit Kenyans at the bottom of society. The country was already hit hard by inflation, rising gasoline and food prices. There was talk of a cost-of-living crisis.
The unrest was already simmering before the anniversary of the violent demonstrations.
On June 9, the teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang was killed in police custody. This sparked demonstrations, and in connection with them, Boniface Kariuki, a 22-year-old street vendor, was also shot in the head at point-blank range by the police. He died on Monday in the hospital.
And you come straight from the demonstrations in Nairobi, where 16 people died. Last year, even more people died. Why are you participating despite the high risk?
“62 people were killed last year,” she quickly corrects, in accordance with international media.
“Because we have no choice. We can either fight for a dignified life or die.
She grew up in one of Nairobi’s largest low-income areas, Mathare, where about 700,000 people live. Most of them are young because it is not an area where you grow old, but Njeri Mwangi has also lost many fellow citizens to police violence.
For example, her uncle, who, a few years ago, according to Njeri Mwangi, was killed by a policeman because the two were in love with the same woman.
She adds that her brother has just been released on bail after being imprisoned for six days following the latest demonstrations.
“There are so many stories like that. But also about people who have organized resistance and been killed for it. So our job is to make sure that we talk about these issues and let the world know. That is why we participated in the protests. But also because of the terrible Finance Act.”
Greeted by tear gas and bullets
How did you experience the demonstrations?
“I went to the CBD [central business district] early in the morning, and I could sense the state violence right away. Already at eight o’clock, they threw tear gas, fired rubber bullets, and real bullets at people who walked peacefully with a rose to lay them for the comrades we have lost. It’s only been a year since we lost them, and we wanted to honor our heroes and the people who have sacrificed their blood for this fight.”
“Parliament was barricaded, and the roads in were barricaded. We mobilized a lot of people, also online, because the president is unpopular now. There was a lot of rage, and everyone wanted to go out on the streets.”
When you are on the street demonstrating, what is the message you want to deliver?
“First of all, the government must stop killing people. They have been doing that for far too long.”
“And my demand now is that the president resigns. We have already formed a transitional government of young people who will monitor the period leading up to an election.”
“Because Ruto is not progressive. He is violating constitutional rights. We have seen him deliberately restrict the civil space. He does not respect the Constitution. I don’t think he’s entitled to be a leader.”
It’s your tax money
The Danish government cooperates with the Kenyan government. What do you think about it?
“Of course, all countries must be able to make partnerships on development to promote progress.”
“But I think you should be critical of where your tax money goes. Why should Ruto be funded if what we are getting are scandals and corruption cases? I also think that citizens should take an active role in questioning where their money is going. If it is Danish money for development, we should make sure that this is what happens.”
So you still think that the Danish government should stop all cooperation with the Kenyan government?
“I believe that the money you have given over the past three years, you should be able to account for what they have done. Because we Kenyans cannot see what they have done.”
