Protesters who died to be honoured in memorial concert
By Hilary KimuyuHundreds of youths are expected to march to Uhuru Park on Sunday for a concert in honour of protesters who died during protests against the Finance Bill.
The date coincides with the 1990 Saba Saba uprising that led to the country’s second liberation, and the event will be used to reflect on Kenya’s history.
Activist Boniface Mwangi announced plans for the commemorative concert on his official X account earlier this week.
“On Sunday, artists have organised a memorial concert in Uhuru Park in honour of the Kenyans who died during the protests. All relevant government departments have been informed,” he wrote.
The event, dubbed the Shujaaz Memorial Concert, will take place from 12pm to 7pm and will include Gen Z and Millennials as well as other people from outside the two generations who have pledged to support the course.
Active crime scene
On Friday, July 5, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja confirmed that the concert will go ahead once the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) completes its investigations, as the park has been an active crime scene due to recent vandalism.
“Uhuru Park belongs to Kenyans and Nairobians; it doesn’t belong to me. I am just a custodian of this resource. I know it is currently an active crime scene, but I hope the DCI will complete his work promptly,” said Sakaja.
The governor also confirmed that he would be attending the event.
“We will support this statement. This concert is in honour of the young people we have lost. It is good to honour them and their families and see what support we can give them. I will be there because these are my constituents,” Sakaja said.
Artistes to perform
Hours later, police officers in the Nairobi region were ordered to contact the organisers of the memorial event and agree on how it should be conducted and managed.
According to the organisers, the event was to begin with a planned prayer at the nearby All Saints Cathedral before the event began.
The gates to the venue, where several artistes are expected to perform, were scheduled to be opened at 9am.
Mwangi said rappers Khaligraph Jones, Octopizzo, Juliani, singers Bien, Fena, Nameless, Eric Wanaina, Charisma, Sarabi band, Graffiti Band and Field Marshall’s band among others would perform at the concert.
Attendees have been encouraged to bring flowers as a gesture of remembrance and peace.
hkimuyu@kenationmedia.com