Busia County Senator Okiya Omtatah has urged Kenyan youths to embrace resilience after their Nane Nane protests were on Thursday, August 8, 2024, thwarted by the police.
Omtatah on activism
Taking to his official X account on Friday, August 9, 2024, Omtatah said resilience and integrity are crucial aspects of activism.
The activist-cum politician stated that resilience and integrity enable individuals to navigate challenges, setbacks, and obstacles, while staying true to their values and principles.
“Resilience and integrity are crucial aspects of activism as they enable individuals to navigate challenges, setbacks, and obstacles while staying true to their values and principles. The journey is as important as the end goal because it is characterized by persistence, dedication, and the unwavering commitment to creating positive change,” Omtatah stated.
Omtatah further noted that the ability to bounce back from failures, setbacks, and criticism is essential in sustaining long-term efforts towards justice, sociopolitical and economic transformation of the country.
Omtatah on integrity
He went ahead to emphasize the importance of integrity, noting that it will ensure that one maintains credibility, trust, and respect.
“The ability to bounce back from failures, setbacks, and criticism is essential in sustaining long-term efforts towards justice and the sociopolitical and economic transformation of our society.
“Moreover, integrity is key; staying true to one’s beliefs, values, and ethical principles even in the face of adversity or temptation. Upholding integrity will ensure that one maintains credibility, trust, and respect,” Omtatah said.
Omtatah argues that success is not solely defined by the end result but also the journey itself.
“With time, you recognize that success is not solely defined by the end result but also by the journey itself. The learning, growth, and resilience cultivated along the way are invaluable in shaping an effective advocate for change,” he said.
Resilience and integrity are crucial aspects of activism as they enable individuals to navigate challenges, setbacks, and obstacles while staying true to their values and principles.
The journey is as important as the end goal because it is characterized by persistence,…
— Okiya Omtatah Okoiti (@OkiyaOmtatah) August 9, 2024
Nane Nane protests thwarted
A heavy contingent of police was on Thursday, August 8, 2024, deployed across the country to prevent the Nane Nane protests from taking place.
Major roads leading to Nairobi Central Business District were blocked by the police to minimise the number of people accessing the city.
Acting Police Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli, in a press briefing on Thursday evening, August 8, 2024, confirmed that a total of 174 protesters had been arrested across the country, with 126 detained in Nairobi alone.
He noted that, apart from an injured officer in Nairobi, most parts of the country remained peaceful.
“Unlike the recent demonstrations that were marred with wanton destructions of property, looting, and injuries, today the country remained peaceful and normalcy prevailed, except in Nairobi, where one officer was injured. We also arrested a total of 174 suspects, that is, 126 in Nairobi, 22 in Kitengela-Rift Valley, and 26 in Emali-Makueni County.
“Despite failure by conveners of today’s demonstration to notify the police of their intention to hold the demonstration, we ensured adequate deployment of security personnel and cautioned members of the public to avoid crowded areas that were likely to turn riotous,” Masengeli said.
