Youth-led Protests Against Kenyan Finance Bill: When Legality Becomes Illegality
Date: 1 July 2024
Time: 17:00-19:00 (SAST)/ 18:00-20:00 (EAT)
Overview: The African Union Studies Unit at the Institute for Pan African Thought and Conversation (IPATC), University of Johannesburg (UJ), South Africa, in collaboration with the Center for Media, Democracy, Peace & Security, Rongo University, Kenya, cordially invites you to an insightful webinar titled “Youth-Led Protests Against Kenyan Finance Bill: When Legality Becomes Illegality.” Youth protests in Kenya have erupted in response to the finance bill introducing new taxes and economic policies. Concerned about rising costs and economic hardships, young people engaged in peaceful protests, highlighting broader unemployment issues and political dissatisfaction among Kenya’s youth. Following the Kenyan security forces’ violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrations, which resulted in 22 fatalities, triggering a major legislative process. This meeting will explore the political dynamics that led to the protests, the political economy of the protests in Kenya, and the place of the youth as agents of change in Kenya and other African countries.
Ms Zoliswa Ntsoko (South Africa) is the Institute’s Administrative Assistant who assists with general administration and research. She is a seasoned professional with a background in Disaster Management. She holds an Advanced Diploma in Management from Milpark Business School, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Management from Regenesys Business School. She also holds certificates in Project Management, and in Disaster Management. Previously, she has worked as a Disaster Management Specialist at the City of Johannesburg – Disaster Management Centre.
Ms Cecilia Lwiindi Nedziwe-Moyo is the Research Coordinator at the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation. She previously served as a Regional Coordinator at the Centre for Peace Initiatives in Africa (CPIA) in Zimbabwe between 2007 and 2013. She completed her master’s degree in International Studies, Peace, and Conflict Resolution at the University of Queensland in Australia as a Rotary Peace Scholar. She has just completed her doctoral studies at Rhodes University. Her areas of interest include: gender, foreign policy, regional organisations and conflict resolution.
Ms Thembeka Somtseu is a seasoned professional with a background in the textile and construction sectors. She holds a National Diploma in Business Administration from the Durban University of Technology, and studied Development Communication and Media Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand. She worked as a corporate communications specialist for more than ten years, serving in both local and multinational companies.