The International Monetary Fund (IMF), along with the executive and legislative branches of the government, hold significant responsibility for the protests, according to Annet Nerima, Program Manager, Inclusion and Political Justice at the Kenya Human Rights Commission.
“Worth noting is that the conditionalities provided by the IMF are not people-centric. There's nothing in it for the ordinary Kenyan. And they have lacked consideration of citizens' social and economic situation, which is largely characterized by a high cost of living, limited disposable income and was still, we have seen Kenyans come out in large numbers to express themselves through their legal frameworks,” Nerima stresses.
Nerima concluded by attributing the withdrawal of the finance bill to Kenya's commitment to democratic principles and responsiveness to public outcry, stating that “the government's source of authority is the people of Kenya, and its power is not legitimate if it disregards the will of the people.”
Likewise, the following personalities are featured in this episode:
David Monda, Professor of Political Science at the City University of New York, discusses the role of the IMF in the protest and the prospects of blocs like BRICS as an alternative model of development for countries in Africa.
Ernest Cornel, Communications Officer at the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), emphasizes the need for justice and accountability for the victims of the protests. He highlights the importance of addressing the grievances of those affected and ensuring that their rights are upheld through appropriate legal and remedial actions.
To find out what else our guests had to say, tune in to the Global South Pole podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.
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