“These youth are a good generation; they have united to fight for their issues. I have spoken to the President and told him he needs to listen to the youth,” said Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi.
Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi .IMAGE : Oscar Sudi
In Summary:
- Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi now supports youth protests against the 2024 Finance Bill.
- Sudi urges inclusion of young people in the drafting of future legislation and calls for peaceful demonstrations.
Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi has revised his position on the youth-led demonstrations against the 2024 Finance Bill.
Initially, Sudi dismissed the protests, suggesting that Generation Z lacked an understanding of the Bill.
“Niliona hao Gen Z, hata mtoto wangu pengine alikuwa hapo, lakini hawaelewi hii Finance Bill,” Sudi stated last week.
However, during a fundraiser at Yamumbi PCEA Church in Eldoret on Sunday, Sudi acknowledged the validity of the young people’s concerns, revealing that he had discussed the issue with President William Ruto.
“These youth are a good generation; they are not tribalistic, they do not care where you are from but have united to fight for their issues. I have spoken to the President and told him he needs to listen to the youth,” he said.
Sudi emphasized the necessity of involving young people in the legislative process.
“As we plan next year’s Finance Bill, we must sit and engage with them so they tell us their challenges and how they want it (the bill) to look until we reach an agreement. Nobody should criticise them, they are right,” he added.
He also encouraged the youth to maintain peaceful demonstrations.
“I congratulate them and if they want to continue protesting, let them protest, so long as they do not touch anyone’s property. Let them continue being peaceful and we parents and leaders will listen to them,” he said.
Despite the largely peaceful nature of the protests, two individuals were confirmed dead as of Saturday evening due to injuries inflicted by the police.
The youth have planned a seven-day protest starting Monday, June 24, to increase pressure on the government to reject the Bill entirely.