Kenyan musician Octopizzo has shared his sentiments on what he believes might be the solution to curb protests.
Octopizzo shared his message to the president while at Uhuru Park . Hundreds of Kenyans gathered at the park for ShuGenz concert to honor dozens killed in recent anti-government protests. The demonstrations erupted in June over proposed tax hikes and calls for President William Ruto’s resignation.
Octopizzo started off by voicing what most netizens were complaining about, citing that it’s not only people living in Nairobi who are displeased by current government, but every county.
”For me it’s so personal. Sikujangi huku hivi hivi. I wish tungeweza fanya hii show every county. Ndio watu waone sio Nairobi pekee imechoka. Kila mtu amechoka,” he shared with SPM Buzz
He further explained that he had made a video explaining to the president ways to mitigate the protests.
”Prezzo huku nje rada chafu. Nilimwambia vile anaweza save doh. Hizi ni ideas tuko nazo. Aende acheki hio video. Ata learn vitu tatu, nne venye ata change situation. But the most important thing naweza ambia president, corruption ndio inatumezeshea.
Read also; Kenyans gather for Shugenz concert to honor fallen protestors
Commemoration and Continued Resistance
At Uhuru Park young people held signs reading “RIP Comrades” and “We promise we’ll keep fighting.” The crowd chanted slogans against Ruto while some hammered symbolic crosses into the ground. The concert’s timing held significance, coinciding with Saba Saba Day, a historic day in 1990 when protests led to a return to multi-party democracy in Kenya.
Economic Reforms in Response
President Ruto, responding to the protests, scrapped the proposed tax hikes and outlined austerity measures. These plans include reducing his advisors and dissolving state corporations to bridge a budget gap. He believes these changes will propel Kenya towards economic transformation.
Watch Octopizzo’s full interview below;