‘Social Pollution’ – Kenya’s Foreign Affairs PS on Gen Z Protests and Calls For Regulation
With the highly anticipated ‘Nane Nane’ protests set to take place on August 8, 2024, Kenya is bracing for another major showdown between demonstrators and the government.
The upcoming protests, which are expected to be the largest yet, come amid growing concerns about the economic consequences of ongoing unrest.
Dr. Abraham Korir Sing’oei, Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs, called for strict regulation of what he described as violent protests on Tuesday, August 6, comparing them to pollution.
Sing’oei, in a statement posted on X, described the protests, which began in June, as a form of social pollution.
Part of the reason to regulate and firmly deal with violent and chaotic protests is that protestors do not internalize the cost of their actions. This cost is transferred and borne by someone else-the private sector. Like pollution, violent protests must be regulated before they… https://t.co/ST6J9ZQN16
— Korir Sing'Oei (@SingoeiAKorir) August 6, 2024
He argued that the consequences of such unrest fall on the private sector, which has been struggling under the weight of constant disruptions.
“Part of the reason to regulate and firmly deal with violent and chaotic protests is that protestors do not internalise the cost of their actions,” Sing’oei commented.
“This cost is transferred and borne by someone else—the private sector. Like pollution, violent protests must be regulated before they cause irremediable public cost.”
The PS’s call for regulation follows a report showing that Kenya’s private sector has experienced the slowest job growth since January 2024.
This downturn reflects a larger trend of economic uncertainty, exacerbated by ongoing political unrest.
The Stanbic Kenya and S&P Global monthly survey paints a bleak picture: businesses are hesitant to invest, and consumer spending has slowed, reflecting the market’s overall cautious sentiment.
“Companies scaled back purchasing activity and stocks of inputs in July, but continued to raise employment,” noted Stanbic Bank and S&P Global analysts.
They noted that, while job creation continued, the rate was only marginal and the slowest in a seven-month streak of rising staffing levels.
According to the report, the protests have impacted a variety of sectors, including agriculture, construction, wholesale and retail, services, and mining.
Nonetheless, the manufacturing sector expanded, providing a rare source of optimism in an otherwise difficult economic environment.
The upcoming protests, organised by the Gen Z movement under the hashtag #NaneNanematch, aim to continue the campaign for significant reforms.
The organizers promised a peaceful demonstration and warned against any attempts to disrupt the protest.
This ongoing unrest has already resulted in significant changes, such as the withdrawal of the contentious Finance Bill 2024, political reorganisation, and a cabinet reshuffle.
Dr. Sing’oei’s call for regulation is more than just a reflection of growing frustration with the current state of affairs.
‘Social Pollution’ – Kenya’s Foreign Affairs PS on Gen Z Protests and Calls For Regulation
