Activist Hanifa and Khalif Kairo in hot soup for ditching State House march
Key takeaways
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- Hanifa Adan popular as Honeyfarsafi is a Nairobi-based activist seen by many as one of the focal points of Gen Z protests against Finance Bill 2024.
- The outspoken Khalif Kairo is a social media influencer and top entrepreneur in Kenya’s automotive industry.
- The high-flying ‘Kenyans on X’ duo featured in the largely peaceful #RejectFinanceBill2024 demos which saw the bill withdrawn by President Ruto.
- Kairo and Hanifa have been recognized for their adept social media mobilization skills, which prompted young Kenyans (Gen Z) to unite in rejecting the punitive bill.
- Their reputation is currently under heavy scrutiny after they urged protesters to suspend their planned #RutoMustGo demonstrations to State House.
Also read: Charlene Ruto’s statement on Anti-Finance Bill protests sparks uproar
Kairo explains his opposition to the State House March
Kenyans on social media spent a better part of the night on X spaces where discussions of the much-anticipated march to the State House were held.
In a video shared on his Instagram account, Kairo labeled the previous protests as a significant victory.
The top Kenyan businessman remarked that the president had finally climbed down his high pedestal and listened to popular demands, thanks to the protests.
Kairo also voiced widespread security concerns for protesters with the deployment of heavy security including the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) in the streets of Nairobi.
The top entrepreneur had this to say about the protests:
“I was in the front line when guys were shot in parliament, I have been in the lines in all the protests, I want to tell guys we’ve had a very big win because we saw the government climb down. I feel if we go back to the streets we might erode what we’ve achieved.”
Hanifa alleged cold feet on State House march
Hanifa Adan also took to X to express her reservations about the protests. In a series of tweets, the print journalist cum activist cited the city shooting that left more than 50 Kenyans dead.
State House and Parliament among other government structures are considered protected areas usually under tight security.
Hanifa sought to protect protestors from what she termed as indiscriminate shootings by security forces.
Her sentiments were backed up by other influential figures Khalif Kairo and Robert Alai.
Khalif Kairo wrote.
“They’re powers that want to hijack this movement to precipitate chaos and settle political squabbles. We can all agree that the current regime is evil, however, we can also agree that the DP speech has exposed other powerplays the public isn’t aware of. Detente. Let’s regroup.”
Hanifa and Khalif Kairo: Sellouts designate
Hanifa and Kairo’s message on the protest did not sit well with X activists who quickly labeled them sellouts.
The most severe criticisms were leveled by prominent blogger Cyprian Nyakundi, who questioned their credentials as bloggers.
Cyprian who is a self-styled ‘People’s Ombudsman’ went after the duo alleging they have been compromised.
A section of netizens demanded the expulsion of the two from the ongoing protests for betraying the cause.
Others maintained they would soldier on without the star influencers.
Also read: “Don’t talk to me rubbish” – MP Toto adamant after voting “Yes” to Finance Bill
Kairo and Hanifa have steered clear of the protests today as they fight the ‘Judas’ tag off them.
Hanifa has quickly turned focus to injured protesters in different hospitals countrywide, clearing medical bills and delivering crucial aid.
Her mission is completely funded and backed by supportive Kenyans through the M-Changa platform.
Meanwhile, Khalif Kairo has withdrawn to his car dealership following what he described as a resounding victory against the hardline Kenya Kwanza regime.
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