Gen Z
Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has revealed plans to lobby the Machakos County assembly to approve and name a street after Rex Kanyike Masai, a Generation Z youth who died during the finance bill protests in Nairobi.
Wavinya who was speaking during Rex’s burial in Kyamuthanga village in Muvuti location in Machakos on Friday said that Rex was a hero and he should be remembered for his heroic acts since he was shot during the demonstrations while fighting for the rights of Kenyans.
The Governor hailed Rex’s efforts and courage in protesting against the 2024 finance Bill and compared him to Muindi Mbingu the Akamba freedom fighter who fought against the colonialist’s oppression.
She urged the government to have a sit down with the youths so that they can find out the issues that are pushing the youths to the streets. Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka speaking at the same event commended the government in its efforts on trying to engage the Gen Z on X space which will encourage conversation on the changes that the country needs.
Kalonzo however cautioned the church to regain its position in condemning what is not right in the government. Nairobi Senator Edward Sifuna on his part condoled with the family and decried the unnecessary deaths of the youths who died fighting for their country’s good governance.
“It doesn’t have to be like this, the blood of young people does not have to be shed for the government to listen to its own people,” Sifuna added.
Sifuna further called upon the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) for a public inquiry into the deaths that have occurred during the nationwide protests and to ensure justice is served accordingly by prosecuting the police officer who shot Rex.
This comes two weeks after 29-year-old Rex Kanyike was shot after joining the protests on rejecting the Finance Bill 2024 that had been going on country wide and causing havoc in various counties.
Other guests who attended the burial were former Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, Daniel Maanzo Senator Makueni, Embakasi MP Babu Owino, former Nandi Hill MP Alfred Keter and Human rights activist Boniface Mwangi among others