Kabaka Pyramid Declares Deadly Kenyan Protests “An Inspiration”

Declaring Kenyan nationals’ ongoing protests against their government’s contentious Finance Bill 2024 ‘an inspiration,’ Reggae star Kabaka Pyramid has expressed his full support for their demands for President William Ruto to abandon the proposed tax hikes.

“Kenya a rise up! What an inspiration! More strength and perseverance to all the youth taking a stand against the insane tax increase in Kenya!!” Kabaka noted in an Instagram post on Tuesday, while noting on Twitter: “To the youth in Kenya, we see you, we are with you Rastafari Live!”

After singing the chorus of his sarcasm-laced Well Done hit song as an intro in the accompanying video, which he shared on both platforms, Kabaka sought to further use his voice as a rallying cry.

“I just wanna send a strength out to all a mi family inna Kenya who is protesting against the government right now. I just want di I dem be safe, but stand strong. We inna Jamaica, wi know wha di I dem going through. I wish my Jamaican people will take a stand more time and really speak dem mind about what’s happening with our government. But I hope what di I dem doing will inspire countries all around the world, fi stand up and fight when its necessary,” the Kontraband singer stated solemly.

Kabaka was cheered on by numerous people from Kenya and other parts of the African continent, some of whom called for Ruto’s prison time. Others declared that Well Done captures the Kenyan situation in totality, particularly the president’s “bowing to the International Monetary Fund” (IMF).

“The president is an imperialist stooge, who walks around dressed in clothes, shoes and watches worth millions: all proceeds from corruption. Relatively, our parliamentarians are the highest paid in the world. They are bribed to pass IMF bills,” one Kenyan noted.

The Kenyan government has said the proposed tax measures, which include levies on basic commodities such as bread, vegetable oil and sugar, and an “eco levy” on manufactured goods such as sanitary towels and diapers, are necessary in order to fund development programmes and cut public debt.

According to Reuters, the 2024/25 bill to which Kenyans have taken exception, sees the government attempting to raise $2.7 billion in additional taxes in order to reduce the budget deficit and state borrowing at the behest of the International Monetary Fund. The protesters argue that the taxation measures could have a devastating effect on many Kenyans’ lives.

“Kenya’s public debt stands at 68% of GDP, higher than the 55% of GDP recommended by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Grappling with acute liquidity challenges amid uncertainty over its ability to access capital from financial markets, Kenya has turned to the IMF – which has urged the government to meet revenue targets to access more funding,” Reuters noted.

“Protesters want the government to abandon the planned tax hikes, which they argue will choke the economy and raise the cost of living for Kenyans who are already struggling to make ends meet,” it added.

On Tuesday, Reuters also reported that the youth-led protests against the Kenyan government’s plans were expected to intensify when lawmakers vote on proposed amendments to the finance bill. Al Jazeera reported that at least 22 people had been killed on Tuesday and at least 160 wounded after police fired live rounds at protesters trying to storm Kenya’s Parliament.

The report quoted resident of the Kenya Medical Association, Simon Kigondu, as saying that at least 13 people were killed in Tuesday’s protests, and that he had never seen “such level of violence against unarmed people”.

On Wednesday, CNN reported that Ruto backed down from signing the controversial finance bill.

“Having reflected on the continuing conversation regarding the content of the finance bill 2024, and listening keenly to the people of Kenya who have said loudly that they want nothing to do with this Finance Bill 2024, I concede, and therefore I will not sign the 2024 finance bill,” Ruto said.

“The people have spoken,” Ruto said. “Following the passage of the bill, the country experienced widespread expression of dissatisfaction with the bill as passed, regrettably resulting in the loss of life, the destruction of property and desecration of constitutional institutions.”