NAIROBI, Kenya – After nearly two years of living in fear and uncertainty, the young man who became one of the defining faces of the 2024 Gen Z protests has finally stepped out of hiding and into the public eye once again.
Chama, whose dramatic appearance inside Parliament during the anti-Finance Bill demonstrations shocked the nation, says he is ready to reclaim his life after spending months moving from one place to another to avoid arrest and persecution.
His return marks the first time he has spoken publicly since disappearing in the aftermath of the June 2024 protests that rocked the country and pushed the government into a political crisis.
At the height of the demonstrations, viral videos captured Chama standing inside the National Assembly chambers moments after protesters breached Parliament buildings.
In the footage, he addressed the Speaker’s seat while chanting anti-government slogans as chaos unfolded inside the heavily guarded precincts.
The protests, largely organised by Gen Z activists, erupted over the controversial Finance Bill 2024, which many Kenyans viewed as an attempt to burden citizens with harsh taxes amid a worsening cost of living crisis.
As demonstrations intensified, protesters stormed Parliament while lawmakers debated the Bill, an unprecedented moment that sent shockwaves across the country and triggered a fierce government response.
Soon after, Chama vanished from public view as security agencies launched investigations into individuals linked to the protests and the breach of Parliament.
Now resurfacing after nearly one year and nine months in hiding, Chama says the experience changed his life completely. He revealed that he lived under constant fear, unable to settle freely or return home comfortably because of concerns over possible arrest during the crackdown that followed the demonstrations.
He noted that many young Kenyans suffered greatly during that period, with some losing their lives and others reportedly abducted.
Despite the fear, Chama says he no longer wants to remain hidden, insisting that the fight for change cannot continue from the shadows.
He also revealed that he had sought legal support from Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, one of the vocal politicians who defended Gen Z protesters arrested after the demonstrations.
According to Chama, the legislator expressed readiness to represent him in court if authorities decide to take legal action against him.
Babu Owino has maintained that many young people who joined the protests were driven by frustration over unemployment, economic hardship and rising taxes, arguing that their grievances were genuine.
The Gen Z protests sparked a national conversation around governance, taxation and police conduct, with human rights organisations accusing security agencies of using excessive force against demonstrators.
The government, however, defended the security operation, saying officers acted to restore order after Parliament buildings were invaded and vandalised.
The pressure from the protests eventually forced the government to withdraw the Finance Bill 2024.
