"Kenya's Yearning for Change: A Look Back at Egypt’s 2011 Revolution"

In recent days, Kenya has witnessed a wave of protests demanding accountability from a government perceived as incompetent and deeply corrupt. Billions of Kenyan shillings have allegedly been looted to fund the lavish lifestyles of politicians, sparking outrage among citizens.

The protests began in response to the controversial Finance Bill of 2024, which brought hundreds of thousands of people to the streets. Parliament was breached in a dramatic display of public discontent, as the people rejected the bill due to its high taxation measures amidst an already struggling economy. Following intense pressure, President Ruto dropped the Finance Bill, but several other pressing issues remain, such as the firing of corrupt cabinet secretaries, stopping abductions and extrajudicial killings, restoring the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), and tackling rampant corruption.

Despite these demands, the current administration, starting from the presidency, appears reluctant to address these key issues. The recent deaths, killings, and abductions have led some to contemplate a revolution, recalling the painful but impactful Egyptian Revolution of 2011.

The Egyptian Revolution, driven by political repression, economic hardships, and the power of social media, serves as a powerful reminder of the complexities and consequences of revolutionary movements. Under Hosni Mubarak's authoritarian rule, Egyptians endured widespread police brutality, high unemployment, and rampant corruption. Although Kenya is not under authoritarian rule, it faces similar issues: police brutality, high unemployment, rampant corruption, and failing public systems meant to serve the common citizen.

A notable aspect of the Egyptian revolution was the unprecedented role of social media in organizing and spreading the word about the protests. This facilitated a level of coordination and engagement that took the regime by surprise. In Kenya today, platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok are similarly used to coordinate protests and educate citizens about their civil rights.

While Mubarak was ousted after 18 days of demonstrations, Kenyan protests have been ongoing, with chants of "Ruto must go" echoing through the streets. The president has responded with brutal police force and the use of paid goons to cause violence. Although the younger generation is calling for Ruto's resignation, they must remember Egypt's rich history of revolution, particularly the 2011 uprising, which, despite initial hopes, led to even greater turmoil.

In the wake of Mubarak’s resignation, Egypt struggled with numerous challenges. Politically, the transitional period was marked by the military's reluctance to cede power, resulting in the rise of Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and a return to authoritarianism. Economically, the revolution’s aftermath saw a sharp decline in tourism and foreign investment, rising unemployment, and inflation exacerbated by austerity measures linked to IMF loans. Socially, Egypt faced continued protests, human rights abuses, and increasing political and sectarian polarization.

Kenya, while enjoying a relatively stable democracy compared to its neighbors, still has significant issues to address. The current mood in the country is one of anger and frustration towards a government that has broken its promises to steer the nation towards a better future. Reports of extrajudicial killings and abductions have further fueled public discontent.

As Kenya stands at a crossroads, it is crucial to find legitimate solutions to apply pressure on the government to act in the best interest of its people. While the thought of revolution lingers, the painful lessons from Egypt remind us that the road to true change is fraught with challenges and potential setbacks. Kenyans must strive to hold their leaders accountable and push for reforms through peaceful and strategic means to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.

The government must ensure that systems work efficiently and transparently, addressing the core issues of corruption, unemployment, and public sector failures. If these systemic issues are not addressed, the government risks triggering a revolution that could lead to its own people overturning it and removing those in power. The stakes are high, and the time for action is now, before hell breaks loose.