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Showing posts from June, 2024

Kenya's Gen Z Roars: A Social Media Spark Ignites Demands for Change

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   Kenya's Gen Z Roars: A Social Media Spark Ignites Demands for Change In February 2023, Kenya witnessed a unique form of protest erupt – one fueled by the collective frustration and digital savvy of Generation Z. Coined #OccupyParliament , the movement wasn't a long-planned event but a spontaneous combustion on social media. Within days, the hashtag trended, igniting conversations and galvanizing young Kenyans into action. This article delves into the heart of this protest, exploring its causes, the role of Gen Z, and its lasting impact.   The Spark: A Controversial Bill and Rising Discontent The catalyst for #OccupyParliament was a proposed bill seen by many Kenyans as an erosion of democratic freedoms. The bill, later withdrawn, granted excessive powers to the executive branch, raising concerns about potential governmental overreach. This, however, was merely the tip of the iceberg. Underlying the protest was a simmering discontent among Gen Z about various issues plagui

Gen Z Makes Waves in Kenya's "Maandamano" Against Finance Bill

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 Gen Z Makes Waves in Kenya's " # Maandamano" Against Finance Bill. Yesterday, June 19th,   2024,   witnessed a surge of youth activism in Kenya as Gen Z took center stage in nationwide protests,   dubbed "maandamano" (Swahili for demonstrations).   This generation,   known for its digital savviness and social consciousness,   rallied against the proposed Finance Bill 2024. The bill, initially met with public outrage, contained measures seen as burdensome to ordinary Kenyans. Proposals like taxing basic necessities like bread and sugarcane fueled discontent. Gen Z, facing an uncertain economic future, took to social media platforms like TikTok and Twitter, igniting the #GenZMaandamano movement. The demonstrations weren't limited to online spaces. Donning black as a symbol of solidarity, young Kenyans marched in major cities, including Nairobi. This wasn't a lone wolf operation. The movement transcended political divides, with celebrities like Willis

Deadly fire at army ammo depot in Chad's capital

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  Deadly fire at army ammo depot in Chad's capital AFP Wed, June 19, 2024 at 11:13 AM GMT+3 Scroll back up to restore default view. A deadly fire erupted at a huge military ammunition depot in Chad's capital N'Djamena, sending powerful explosions into the night sky and shaking buildings miles from the blast. The explosions from the late Tuesday blaze turned the sky red and could be heard miles away as ordnance fired off in the flames at regular intervals, according to AFP journalists and witnesses on the scene. President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno said people had been killed and wounded in the blaze, without giving precise figures. "Peace to the souls of the victims, sincere condolences to the grieving families and a speedy recovery to the wounded," Deby wrote on Facebook, promising to open an investigation into the fire. The sky burst into flames above the Goudji area, where the army's largest depot of ammunition is located, for several hours before tapering of