Kenyans in Australia
- 105 views
Kenyan expatriates in Darwin, Australia, organized a protest on Monday morning to express their concerns over a rising tide of abductions in their home country.
The demonstrators carried placards displaying the names of youth who went missing in December, demanding immediate action from President William Ruto to address the escalating security crisis in Kenya. Videos shared online show the protestors chanting anti-government slogans and voicing the urgency for Kenyan authorities to implement effective measures to combat the situation.
This demonstration reflects a wider movement initiated by Nelson Amenya, the whistleblower of the JKIA-Adani deal, who recently called on the global Kenyan community to rally against abductions. Amenya participated in a similar protest in Paris, highlighting the international dimension of the diaspora's outrage and advocating for the #EndAbductionsKE campaign, which draws parallels to previous widespread protests against the Finance Bill in June 2024.
Participants in the Australian protest have voiced their frustration over the deteriorating conditions in Kenya, despite being far from their homeland. One protestor highlights the urgent need for change, citing economic struggles and repressive governance as critical issues. Another expresses growing anxiety among the diaspora, who remain closely connected to families in Kenya, noting the high unemployment rates and government crackdowns on public dissent.
The protestors have also appealed to Kenya’s High Commissioner to Australia, Dr. Wilson Kipngetich Arap Kogo, urging him to lend his support to their cause. This appeal signals the diaspora’s intent to utilize diplomatic channels to elevate their message for accountability and reform back home.
This mobilization is part of a broader trend of diasporic activism, as demonstrated by significant protests against the Finance Bill earlier in 2023.
During that period, Kenyans in Germany, the UK, and the United States united for similar demonstrations, even gathering at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands. In reaction to the escalating unrest, Kenya's Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga has directed Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to intensify investigations into the abductions.
He has ordered comprehensive reports to be submitted within three days to facilitate potential legal proceedings.