Concerned Citizens Movement Condemns Government’s Handling of Protests, Calls for Constitutional Amendments
Leaders of the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM), led by Professor Fed Ogola, have issued a strong condemnation of the Kenya Kwanza administration following the arrest of 335 peaceful protestors in recent demonstrations.
Despite these arrests, Ogola praised the protestors for their discipline and commitment to constitutional rights.
“We commend the Concerned Citizens for the manner in which they conducted themselves during the peaceful protests in the last few days even though 335 of them were arrested for holding constitutionally protected peaceful protests,” Ogola stated.
The CCM criticized the current government for failing to deliver on the promises made under the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda.
According to Ogola, the administration’s incompetence has led to significant suffering among Kenyans, compounded by corruption and mismanagement at the highest levels of government, including heads of parastatals, top police officers, and even cabinet secretaries.
Ogola highlighted that the formation of an inept executive, approved by Parliament, has resulted in continuous politicking, corruption, and infighting instead of addressing economic issues. The recent Finance Act, passed against public opposition, has been particularly detrimental to the economy, spurring widespread anger and protests against the Finance Bill 2024-25.
“The Kenyan economy is suffering from two main issues; High debt and low economic activity evident in the fact that there is no more job creation. Even the government in its 2024-25 budget has frozen employment for a whole year, giving our youth no hope of employment,” Ogola explained.
The CCM pointed out that the current administration’s policies have led to a grim economic outlook, with small businesses struggling under heavy pending bills and high operational costs. There is a palpable fear of an imminent collapse of several industries as business productivity continues to decline.
In response to these challenges, the CCM planned to launch the Mwananchi Bill on Madaraka Day 2024. This initiative aims to restore citizens’ sovereignty by allowing them to directly recall the president, deputy president, or both through a referendum, in cases of constitutional violations or economic mismanagement.
“Proper use of tax revenue would guarantee the citizens’ livelihoods, comfort, and future,” Ogola asserted, adding that the rallying call for the Mwananchi Bill is “HAKUNA MADARAKA BILA MAMLAKA,” emphasizing the need for citizen empowerment.
The CCM leaders were briefly detained by the police, which further galvanized public support for their cause. Yesterday, Nairobi’s CBD echoed with the voices of citizens decrying oppressive governance, marking a significant moment of unity and defiance against the administration.
Dr. Joseph Mugacha, another prominent leader of CCM, outlined several demands from the government:
The immediate and unconditional release of all arrested protestors, The total withdrawal of the finance bill, which Mugacha labeled as unnecessary and corrupt, Respect for the constitution by allowing citizens to exercise their right to peaceful protest,ensuring the police service remains a protector of peaceful protestors, avoiding unnecessary force and harassment, Continued peaceful protests by Concerned Citizens until their demands are met.
Mugacha emphasized the importance of addressing the citizens’ concerns, warning that the country’s diverse and hardworking population will no longer tolerate mismanagement and broken promises.
“We shall no longer endure slavery and servitude meted to us by our elected leaders and public servants. We shall decisively act to supervise and notify poor performance and recall those who fail to rectify by exercising our sovereign power through constitutional supremacy,” he declared.
The CCM’s call to action resonated across the nation, as Kenyans from all walks of life—teachers, doctors, business owners, and the youth—voiced their shared concerns over their livelihoods, comfort, and future. The movement aims to gather at least one million signatures to amend the Constitution of Kenya, empowering citizens to hold their leaders accountable.
The CCM’s bold stance represents a significant moment in Kenya’s ongoing struggle for accountable governance and economic justice. As the movement gains momentum, the government’s response to these demands will be closely watched by all Kenyans
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