KRG: Thieves, lazy people have taken over maandamano

Kenyan musician KRG the Don has urged young people to go back to work after a wave of protests that have led to the destruction of property and loss of lives.

The singer said the anti-Finance Bill protests had now lost bearing and goons were taking advantage of the mayhem to loot.

He added that Kenyans need to look at the bigger picture and cease destroying what took ages to build.

"I guess It’s time we go back to work now coz Hii maandamano imebaki ya wezi and lazy people who have nothing to lose.

“Little is better than nothing at all…difficult is better than dead. Kenya is bigger than our problems,” he wrote.

His sentiments were echoed by Political Strategist Pauline Njoroge who urged Gen Z to call off the protests but continue with the conversation on social media.

Njoroge said goons have tainted the image of the demos and there is need to re-strategise.

“I strongly believe you should now release a poster cancelling the Tuesday and Thursday protests till further notice..Calling off the street protests does not mean going silent.

“Maintain a strong voice on the very powerful social media space, relentlessly demanding better governance, accountability and citizen-friendly policies and legislations. But the streets are a no-go zone for now!” she wrote.

The Tuesday demos in Nairobi saw several major roads blocked as police engaged in running battles with protesters, some who vandalised property.

In Mombasa, several vehicles were torched by an angry mob that claimed one of them had been shot by a business owner.

The protests, which started peacefully a fortnight ago, have degenerated into what some quarters have termed as anarchy as businesses have been looted, others have been razed to the ground and the use of live ammunition has led to the loss of lives.

Last week, President William Ruto bowed to the pressure and announced the withdrawal of the controversial Finance Bill, saying the people had spoken and he was willing to engage the youth on the way forward.