Ian's Blog

  1. The Rise of Moral Clarity Amid State Violence Kenya today finds itself in a moral crisis. With leaders resorting to violence, corruption, and forced disappearances, the country’s ethical foundations are crumbling. Yet amid this erosion stands a beacon of hope: the youth. Unlike the ruling political class, whose motive is power and personal gain, young Kenyans are driven by principles: constitutional respect, public service, and justice. The youth aren’t on the streets to steal, extort, or climb to power—they’re demanding systems that work: honest budgets, accountable leaders, fair taxation, timely justice, and public services that serve the people. Their cause isn’t self-enrichment—it’s collective redemption. 2. Leaders of Violence vs. Youth of Values Today’s leaders have chosen violence over dialogue. Last week’s demonstrations broke out in 23 counties—Nairobi barricaded, protests met with bullets, live rounds, and brutality . Journalists and activists faced arrest. The...

   1. Dissent Is Not a Crime—Unless State Violence Makes It One In Kenya, speaking truth to power should be protected. The Constitution safeguards citizens’ rights to free speech, assembly, and protest. Yet in recent months—and years—the state’s response to dissent has been chillingly consistent: suppression. In 2025, voicing one’s opinion risks more than backlash—it risks detention, assault, disappearance, even death. The death of Albert Ojwang , a 31-year-old teacher and blogger, marks a grim milestone. He was arrested over a social media post criticizing a senior police officer. Less than 48 hours later, he was found unresponsive in a Nairobi cell. Police claimed he died by hitting his head—but an autopsy proved otherwise: head injuries, neck compression, soft-tissue damage consistent with torture article19.org +1 freiheit.org +1 theguardian.com +15 en.wikipedia.org +15 freiheit.org +15 . He is not the first—and unless we act, he will not be the last. 2. From Social Med...

  A Year of Empty Promises Twelve months ago, Kenyans granted the Ruto administration a full 365-day period of uninterrupted grace. They entrusted the government with power and resources to deliver a reliable economic vision and humane governance. And yet, over that year, fear, disenchantment, and deep mistrust grew—fueled by broken promises, harsh policies, and brutal suppression. Attempts to roll back unpopular policies, such as the Finance Bill, come too late to repair that damage. The cracks have become chasms. The Finance Bill: Catalyzing Distrust In June 2024, the Finance Bill proposed a litany of taxes—on bread, cooking oil, mobile money, and even water. In response, Gen Z-led protests erupted across the country. At least 50 people died, hundreds were injured, and thousands were detained . The government promised to reconsider, then backtracked partially—dropping some clauses like the bread levy, but leaving the core structure intact . That partial retreat did nothing t...

  From Blackouts to Fake News—The State’s Digital Offensive As Kenyans marched peacefully on the streets, demanding justice for slain protestors, a more sinister war was underway—one not fought with teargas or bullets, but with screenshots, smear campaigns, and silence-by-lies. A damning exposé by The Standard reveals an alarming truth: the Kenyan government has allegedly orchestrated a coordinated digital disinformation operation, leveraging WhatsApp groups, taxpayer-funded influencers, and friendly media to discredit protests , target activists , and undermine the voices of the oppressed . A State-Sponsored Digital War Room In screenshots shared by The Standard , secretive WhatsApp groups tied to government operatives were used to: Share talking points aimed at painting protestors as “jobless hooligans” Frame Gen Z as “TikTok revolutionaries with no agenda” Spread fake casualty numbers to downplay killings Attack media houses that defied blackout orders Issue ...

  Heading into Yesterday: Anticipation & Defiance On the anniversary of last year’s #RejectFinanceBill uprising, tens of thousands of young Kenyans—across Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu, Eldoret, and 26 other counties—took to the streets once more. This time, their demands were deeply personal: honouring the 60 Patriots killed in 2024, justice for Albert Ojwang & others, accountability for police brutality, and an end to economic genocide. Gen Z, millennial, and Gen X voices merged with mothers, clerics, and everyday citizens in a cry that transcends tribal lines. But the government? Still tone‑deaf. Despite a year to act, to repair, to show compassion, the state responded as it always does—slapping down calls for justice as subversive, labeling protesters misled, and blaming them for any violence. Rather than listening, the authorities ushered in repression. KANU-Era Media Blackouts: Back with a Vengeance Within hours of the unrest starting, live coverage was ordered c...

  A Year of Silence, Now Broken This very government had twelve months of uninterrupted grace. An entire revolution of the earth around the sun! They had time. They had resources. They had power. And most of all—they had the mandate of the people . And what did they do with it? They mocked us. With suits and speeches. With fake numbers. With promises they never intended to keep. And as the days passed, they mocked us not only with words—but with policies that emptied our pockets, raided our future, and left millions to suffer in silence. But the silence is over. A Grace Period Squandered When the new regime took office, Kenyans—tired of past betrayals—chose hope once more. Many gave them the benefit of doubt. After all, they spoke our language. They quoted scripture. They came from humble beginnings. They promised a hustler nation where everyone had a seat at the table. Twelve months later, the only people sitting at the table are the same ones who always have. And they’r...