The youth in Kenya have been making their voices heard through protests against planned tax increases, and their actions have had a significant impact on the Church in the country. With over 80% of the population being Christian, the youth accused the Church of siding with the government and using the pulpit for political purposes.
In response to the challenge posed by the young protesters, Catholic leaders organized a special Mass to honor those who had been killed during the anti-tax protests. The Mass, attended by hundreds of young people, aimed to show solidarity and support for the youth.
Bishop Simon Kamomoe addressed the concerns of the young protesters, acknowledging their grievances and promising to renew the Church’s commitment to serving them. He urged the youth to be patient, guided by the Church, and to repent for any wrongdoings during the protests.
The protest movement, led by Generation Z, successfully forced President William Ruto to withdraw the contested tax bill. The youth also raised concerns about the close relationship between the Church and political institutions, highlighting suspicions of bribery and influence.
President Ruto, in response to the protests, banned state officers and public servants from making public charitable donations and emphasized the need to separate politics from places of worship. The youth demanded an end to the practice of politicians giving large sums of money to the Church, known as “harambee.”
The protests have shifted the power dynamics in Kenya, with the president and the Church now paying attention to the concerns of the youth. The Gen-Z protesters have shown the importance of holding leaders accountable and challenging the status quo.
