Lupita Nyong’o salutes Kenyan youth amid Finance Bill protests

Amid ongoing protests against the Finance Bill 2024, renowned actress Lupita Nyong’o has voiced her support for the Kenyan youth.

Her message comes just hours after a tumultuous day in Nairobi, where protesters breached Parliament, causing significant damage.

President William Ruto’s response to the events has further fueled public outrage.

Lupita Nyong’o expressed her admiration for the Kenyan youth’s unity and determination in opposing the Finance Bill 2024.

In her statement, she said, “I salute the Kenyan youth and I am grateful to them for coming together in an extraordinary way to stand up against the problematic Finance Bill 2024 as well as to defend and promote the democratic rights of the Kenyan people.”

She acknowledged the tragic loss of lives during the protests, extending her condolences to the victims’ families.

“I am extremely saddened that lives have been lost in the process, and my thoughts are with the victims’ families,” Lupita added.

Her message also called for the Kenyan government to address the concerns raised by the protesters.

“May the government of Kenya aim to peacefully unify the nation by hearing and addressing the concerns about bad governance that are rightfully being raised,” she concluded, using the hashtag #RejectFinanceBill2024 to emphasise her stance.

The protests on Tuesday, June 25, took a dramatic turn when angry youth overpowered security and stormed the Parliament building.

The protesters caused significant damage, looting and breaking various items within the premises.

In response to the day’s events, President William Ruto addressed the nation on Tuesday night. His brief speech was marked by a stern warning to those he claimed were responsible for the chaos. “Today’s events mark a critical point in how we respond to threats to our peace,” Ruto stated.

He emphasised his constitutional duty to protect Kenya’s constitutional order, promising that such a situation would not be allowed to recur. “We will ensure that a situation of this nature does not recur again,” he added.

Ruto also pledged to pursue those he alleged had orchestrated the violence, suggesting that criminals had infiltrated the otherwise peaceful protests. His remarks, however, did little to calm the public.

Many Kenyans felt that Ruto failed to address the core issues and did not take the time to offer condolences to the families of those who lost their lives during the protests.

The President’s speech has intensified public anger. Many Kenyans, especially those who have been directly affected by the violence, expressed their frustration on social media.

They criticized Ruto for not showing empathy towards the victims’ families and for focusing instead on labeling the events as treasonous.

The hashtag #RejectFinanceBill2024 continued to trend, reflecting the widespread opposition to the proposed legislation.