Nairobi, Kenya- Ten months after the fatal Gen Z protests on the 24th of June 2024,the BBC EYE has dared to recreate events around the protests that turned out fatal. A gruesome detailed reconstruction of how atleast three protestors were unalived on the fateful day.
The BBC documentary, through analyzing thousands of footage from protesters and media houses reenacted detailed scenarios from moments before the protesters were gunned down. Footage that was all too real eliciting surreal emotions from Kenyans that have watched the 35-minute documentary. As expected however a part of the political class and a section of Kenyans too are enraged as to why the documentary was done.
The documentary strips down the sugar-coating that’s been happening from the independent institutions in shedding light into the events of the fated day with evidence backed account of the protesters deaths.
The downplaying of the days events by the government and some political figures contrasts with the graphic evidences in the documentary. Judging by the strong reactions and the attempts to stop the screening of the film ,there-in rests deep-seated unwillingness to confront and tackle police brutality issues and government accountability in its wrongdoings.
Otherwise authorities settle in issuing endless statements and basking in the chorus of constant “ investigations are underway and leaving no stones unturned “. A distasteful chorus it has become.
It is angering and heartbreaking to watch the documentary. A generation that upped their lives and went to demand for better policies only to be met met by brutality. Police brutality keeps being an ever arising issue and most especially in circumstances totally uncalled for.
State violence, shutting up voices of reason and since the protests rampant abductions and torturing citizens in a bid to protect itself over its citizens.The government is doing the most to justify its bad manners.The demand for transparency and justice nevertheless keeps growing louder by the day.
On recollection however, the state authorities love flying too close to the sun. Not long ago school children from Butere girls high school were teargassed over a play and within 24 hours of the documentary being released, a number of other protesters were being gunned down in Narok.
Under the guise of national security , things are always being censored. The reported attempts to stop the screening of the play just as in the Echoes of War play are low blows that evidently end up being very inconsequential and consequently undermining the authorities. The interference infringing on the rights and freedoms of Kenyan citizens too.
The courage of the producers, every protester is commendable and the brave citizens and journalists that shared the events of the said day.
Through their courage, we can stand up to the “man”. Although authorities are constantly betraying the public who stand up by protesting, it doesn’t stop truths from coming to light. In a typical country, we would expect accountability and consequences for all those involved but well, we are not typical.
We are rather accustomed to lies and propaganda and sideshows to sidetrack us from real issues. with the documentary, the little faith we had in the government institutions and the rule of law have further eroded leaving us with trust issues and a growing disconnect between a citizens experiences and the narratives presented by the political class.
