Eric Omondi, comedian turned activist, will host a parallel Mashujaa Day to celebrate heroes who died during the protests.
He asked Kenyans for suggestions on suitable locations for the heroes’ parents and families to host as chief guests.
Comedian Eric Omondi has said that on October 20, 2024, when Kenya celebrates Mashujaa Day, he will host a rival massive event celebrating the real Shujaas.
Omondi, a vocal supporter of positive governance, claims that his event would pay tribute to those who died during the anti-government rallies spearheaded by Generation Z outside of parliament.
An internet video shows Omondi gazing at a graveyard and performing a modified rendition of Wimbo wa Historia.
In the song, Omondi considers what happened on June 25 and lists the names of some of the people who died during the protest procession to parliament.
“On October 20, in addition to celebrating Mashujaa Day, we’re going to have a huge celebration to honour our warriors! Our shujaas!” Omondi’s caption stated this.
According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), the demonstrations resulted in 39 fatalities, nearly twice as many as the government had previously reported.
In addition, KNCHR claimed that 627 arrests, 32 incidents of enforced disappearances, and 361 injuries occurred between June 18 and July 1.
Members of Generation Z spearheaded the initially nonviolent anti-tax protests, which turned violent after MPs approved contentious tax reform.
Police used live bullets in response to demonstrators who stormed and partly destroyed the parliament building.
In the meantime, Kwale County will host this year’s formal Mashujaa Day events. Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani and National Celebrations Steering Committee head Raymond Omollo recently visited Kwale Stadium’s ongoing development, which is ready to accommodate at least 10,000 guests.
