Partyless Hanifa Faces Backlash for Holding Joint Presser with Azimio Politicians
Key takeaways
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- Popular activist Hanifa Adan, also known as @Honeyfarsafi, is battling accusations of betrayal after photos surfaced showing her with Kalonzo Musyoka and other Azimio leaders.
- The photos were taken at a press conference held after a recent Peace Awards function.
- Former vice president and Azimio principal Kalonzo Musyoka won the Peace Ambassador of the Year award during the event.
- Hanifa was recognized for her efforts as a New Generation Media Activist, with Busia Senator Okiya Omtata also being awarded.
- Kenyans expressed concern over the female activist being seen with politicians, despite her repeated claims of not belonging to any political party.
- Hanifa clarified that she was attending the peace event and had not joined Kalonzo’s Azimio party.
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Hanifa denies being bought by the political class
Popular activist Honeyfarsafi has refuted accusations of being swayed by politicians after she shared a podium with opposition politicians.
Hanifa is a leading figure in the now-popular movement for reforms in Kenya. The movement is largely sustained by young Kenyans who identify themselves as Gen Z.
Active both online and in the streets, Gen Z declared themselves leaderless and have since avoided association with any other political formations in Kenya.
Young people are convinced that the political class is collectively responsible for the economic and governance problems in the country.
They have also pursued the ‘leaderless’ mantra to avoid infiltration by state actors, who they fear might buy off any known leaders.
An X user cautioned Hanifa that she had been marked as the leader of Gen Z, therefore, she was being gradually enticed to betray the movement.
Hanifa wrote in response: “This is a leaderless movement!! If they couldn’t buy me during peak protest why would they now?”
Hanifa praises Kalonzo’s press conference, calling it a success
City activist Honeyfarsafi praised a section of opposition politicians for what she described as a strong condemnation of President Ruto.
The activist who attended the press conference reported that Kalonzo and his troops sharply criticized the president for missteps in his government.
“Hiyo presser walikua wanalima Ruto hadi wanamwita Zakayo wako sawa sana! A platform where they’re fighting Adani and condemning abductions is very okay,” tweeted Hanifa in support of the opposition’s message.
Adani’s takeover of the country’s key economic sectors, along with illegal abductions and murders were some of the issues that took center stage in the media address.
The opposition has linked the Adani deals to state capture, criticizing the high secrecy surrounding the agreements.
Ms. Hanifa added her voice by calling for justice for all victims of police brutality during the recent good-governance protests.
The print journalist blamed a local media house for publishing still pictures without context, misleading Kenyans to believe that she was working with politicians.
Hanifa has also cleared Hon. Musyoka of any wrongdoing in the controversial photos, saying:
“Nope, Kalonzo and his team did not take advantage of me or try to get pictures. This was about the Peace Ambassador of the Year Award which he, I, and Omtata received.”
Hanifa’s situation is similar to fellow young activist Kasmuel McOure, who has been harshly criticized for working closely with politicians.
Kasmuel unapologetically continues to pursue his political ambition having recently joined the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
McOure and Hanifa maintain that they are willing to work with like-minded individuals to tackle bad governance and injustice.
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