Kenya has once again witnessed a day of fervent anti-government protests that reverberated across at least 23 counties, commemorating the somber events of June 25, 2024. In the aftermath of these widespread demonstrations, a notable voice from across the continent has emerged: Nigerian-American music sensation David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido. The acclaimed singer took to his social media pages to share a brief yet poignant message, extending "Peace and love to Kenya" and calling for calm in the East African nation.
Davido's comments carry significant weight. As a songwriter and record producer, he is renowned not only for his global Afrobeats anthems but also for his consistent vocal engagement in political affairs, not just in his home country of Nigeria, but across the entire African continent. His willingness to speak on socio-political issues has distinguished him as an artist with a conscience, giving his words particular resonance in moments of unrest. Having visited Kenya on at least two occasions, in 2015 and more recently in 2024, Davido also possesses a direct connection to the country and its people.
See Davido's Post
See Davido's Post
His message of peace arrived amidst grim reports from various lobby groups following yesterday's protests. Organizations including the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), the Police Reforms Working Group, and the Kenya Medical Association released a joint statement indicating a distressing toll: at least eight protesters were reported killed during the demonstrations. Furthermore, a staggering minimum of 400 individuals sustained injuries and received treatment, with 83 of them requiring specialized medical attention.
The joint statement from these lobby groups painted a stark picture of the day's events: “At least eight protesters have been treated for gunshot wounds. Three of the injured are police officers. While these figures are confirmed by medics and human rights defenders, sadly, the exact figures may only be known in the course of time.” This acknowledgement highlights the chaos and violence that transpired, and the difficulty in immediately ascertaining the full human cost.
The widespread nature of yesterday's protests, involving Kenyans from diverse regions, underscores the depth of public frustration. While the demonstrations were largely a remembrance of the lives lost during last year's historic march against the Ruto administration and its proposed Finance Bill, they also served as a renewed expression of discontent over persistent economic hardships and governance issues.
