The uprising led by the youth in Kenya was, and still is, unprecedented, literally out of the blue as it were. It has changed Kenya, as it has elsewhere in Africa. It will no longer be business as usual in this country. The youth have risen to the demands of the times and have taken centre stage in the politics of this country. It is a historical moment, quite interesting times, or as it was said by the English poet, William Wordsworth during the French Revolution – “Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive. ”
Speaking of the French Revolution, there is an account that is told about the onset of the revolution. The actual date was the night of the fourteenth of July 1789, in Paris, when Louis XVI, the King, heard from the Due de La Rochefoucauld-Liancourt, his adviser, that the fortress of Bastille had fallen to insurgents, freed the prisoners and the defection of the royal troops before the famous attack. The king is said to have asked, seemingly unlarmed” “C’est une revolte”, (So, is this is a revolt?) of which the clear – eyed and perceptive Duke replied, ‘Non, Sire, c’est une revolution.’ (No Sir, this is a revolution!).
The youth in Kenya stormed the country’s parliament, similar to what the youth in France did to the Bastille fortress in the French Revolution. Storming the parliament in Kenya on June 25th was collective catharsis for the youth. It comes with the feeling that Frantz Fanon refers to as people reclaiming back their state and country. The sheer mass of youthful protesters is a site to behold, especially of first time protestors – the so–called Gen -Zs. This issue of Ukombozi Review gives vent to the various forms of creative energy in this uprising in form of protest poetry, music, infographics, articles, art/cartoons, images, much more. Protest poetry is in particular opportune, being the most poignant and urgent forms of creative outbursts. Protest poems become the new barrels of the guns, expressing anguish, yearnings, love, hopes and dreams of the new generation that is fervently seeking for order, stability and justice, not only for their selves, but also for fellow comrades, families and society. When a revolution marshals its own creative energy and art; it has arrived. These poets show that the new generation of comrades is not only coming out of relative obscurity as prophesied by Frantz Fanon, but that their voices have emerged, taken shape, redefining the times and ourselves, fast–forwarding the past, and bringing the future today. Tomorrow is here; look no further. Ours is only to applaud these fresh and vibrant voices in people’s struggles, not as mere observers or cheerleaders, but as comrades at arms. At best, Ukombozi Review serves in this issue as an archive and reservoir of memory of this uprising. Memory in itself is both an inspiration and active combatant in the struggle; looking back, now, and in the future. Ukombozi Review hoists high the flag of this youthful uprising. This uprising has coalesced various sites of people’s struggles. People’s struggles will continue in various sites. Revolution is in the air, not if, but when.
Welcome to the 18th issue of Ukombozi Review, the bumper Maandamano edition.
