During Tuesday’s Coffee Bar Session which was held at MuYI, we discussed the state of the nation. The devastating effects on many people especially the youth have caused loss of lives, destruction of property and infrastructure, as well as disruption of economic activities amongst many entrepreneurs in the CBD and most parts of the country.

The Kenya Finance Bill 2024 is a legislative proposal by the Kenyan government outlining changes to taxation, fees, and other financial regulations for the upcoming fiscal year. This bill is part of the government’s annual budget process and aims to generate revenue, regulate economic activities, and fund government operations and projects. Many Kenyans are in disagreement with Tax Proposals since there are changes in tax rates or structures that are seen as unfair to certain groups in the country.

Many youths argued that spending priorities on how funds are allocated such as increases and cuts to essential services and goods, its misplacement of priorities, and the leaders want to overtax the same people who elected them. Right now Gen Z are woke and are rising against the government who do not give an ear to their plea. The Bill has introduced many taxes and there is no major development for the past two years.

“Zakayo is a manipulator, liar and a one-term president si must amalize one term ndio atumalize!” one participant said.

Many youths have Concerns about the overall economic impact of the bill, such as increasing the deficit or harming economic growth, and lack of transparency with the process in which the bill was created since the public participation was done had insufficient debates and inputs from most people in the country. The total amount spent in FY 2023–2024 is Ksh 3.7 trillion. This development expenses are high and the capital expenditure outlay for 2024–2025 was revealed to have increased by 11.1%.

For the past two weeks, the demonstrations have had a wide range of impacts on both the people involved and the country as a whole. They have created awareness among the general public and the international community however it has also led to violence, death, injuries, and loss of property since the parliament building was attacked people stole things and many things were broken. Clashes between demonstrators and the police led to the death of several youths including the police

Many peaceful protesters are not happy since People were being arrested as early as 9 AM

“For any freedom to be achieved there has to be death and the small battles make people win the greatest battles!” one participant said.

The protest has been impactful since the previous votes have shown a difference since 204 MPs voted yes and 115 No whilst in the last process 196 MPs voted to pass the bill 105 voted against it and 3 MPs votes became spoilt.

The activists came in numbers to help demonstrators in many areas such as providing water, minor fast aiding and even ensuring that those arrested were released for free one participant mentioned that he could not believe that the police could arrest you but still set them free with no charges unlike the usual times when one has to give them money

The youths said that this is the last time they are swayed and fooled to vote for incompetent people and leaders who come to manipulate them into thinking other leaders are bad. Many leaders have deceived us through the church. The youths are against leaders who use the youths to loot and vandalize people’s property and will not allow leaders to use them again.

Introduction

We held the coffee bar discussion on 18^th June 2024 which was based on Culture and Beliefs of different communities. The objective was to promote comprehension and correct misunderstandings. We defined Culture and belief as follow:

• Culture includes knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, laws, customs, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by humans as members of society. It encompasses both tangible and intangible elements that define a group’s way of life.
• Beliefs are specific ideas that people hold to be true. They are closely tied to the values and norms of a culture and often stem from religious, philosophical, or social ideologies.

Different youths had different views on different tribes, their cultures and beliefs where most were open about them

Luhya-The Luhya are the second largest ethnic group in Kenya, inhabiting the Western Province. They are composed of 18 sub-tribes, each with unique customs but a shared cultural heritage. They used to “accidentally” kill one twin in case they were the first children born

Kisii- the Kisii, also known as the Gusii, are an ethnic group in Kenya primarily residing in Kisii County and parts of Nyamira County in the southwestern region of the country. They are known for their agricultural prowess, rich traditions, and strong community bonds. Whenever they bury someone they would wake up the next morning to a dropping grave

Kikuyu- their rite of passage Includes birth, circumcision, marriage, and death. However the 8-4-4 system has affected their circumcision process where most of their young boys are circumcised after their grade 8 education level before they head to high school.

Kamba community- the girls are given some property by their parents when the traditionally move to their husbands place

Luo-The Luo are the fourth largest ethnic group in Kenya, living mainly around Lake Victoria in the Nyanza Province. They are known for their fishing culture and rich oral traditions. Their rites of Passage include Birth, initiation, marriage, and burial rites are significant. Initiation rites do not involve circumcision, unlike many other Kenyan tribes. They were known to remove one of their incisors on the bottom jaw.

Maasai-The Maasai are a semi-nomadic people primarily found in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. They are known for their distinctive customs, dress, and strong warrior culture. For them giving dowry to their girls is believed to be an endless process. They were also believed to kill lions to prove their manhood.

Impact on Society

Culture and beliefs profoundly impact various aspects of society, including:

• Social Structure: Culture defines the roles and hierarchies within a society. For instance, caste systems in India or class systems in many Western countries.
• Education: Beliefs influence educational systems and the value placed on education. For example, Confucian cultures emphasize respect for teachers and the importance of education.
• Economy: Cultural attitudes toward work, wealth, and consumption can shape economic practices and policies.
• Politics: Cultural beliefs and values can influence political systems and ideologies. For example, democratic values in Western cultures or collectivist values in many Asian societies.
• Health: Cultural beliefs about health, illness, and medical practices affect how societies approach healthcare and medicine. Traditional medicine versus modern medicine is a common dichotomy.

 Conclusion

The Kikuyu, Luhya, Luo, and Maasai communities each have unique cultures and belief systems that have shaped their identities and ways of life. While modernization and globalization have influenced these communities, many traditional practices and beliefs continue to thrive, reflecting the rich cultural diversity of Kenya.

Understanding culture and beliefs is crucial for fostering mutual respect and cooperation in an increasingly interconnected world. By appreciating the diversity and complexity of cultural practices and belief systems, societies can promote more inclusive and harmonious interactions among their members

Our coffee bar on 11^th June 2024 revolved around LGBTQIA+ issues from diverse perspectives, from youths who attended the discussion. The aim was to foster an understanding, address misconceptions, and promote inclusivity. As expected the discussion was controversial from the word go due to divergent views some being pro LGBTQIA+ and some being totally against it.

The discussion was Moderated by Nelmo Munyiri our Executive Director, who has extensive experience in mediating sensitive topics, the discussion was ensured to be constructive and not accuse, the Participants were 30, young people, from Mukuru with different views on the topic, the discussion revolved around;

• Understanding LGBTQIA+ Identities
• The discussion started with an educational segment on the LGBTQIA+ acronym, explaining each identity:
• Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual (LGB): Pertaining to sexual orientation.
• Transgender (T): Relating to gender identity different from the sex assigned at birth.
• Queer and Questioning (Q): An umbrella term for sexual and gender minorities and individuals    exploring their identities.
• Intersex (I): Individuals born with physical sex characteristics that don’t fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies.
• Asexual (A): Individuals who experience little or no sexual attraction to others.
• Plus (+): Acknowledging the inclusion of other sexual and gender identities.

It was clear that Perspectives from those with anti LGBTQIA+ stand were based form a point of;

• Fear and Misunderstanding: Many expressed fear and misunderstanding about LGBTQIA+ identities.
• Cultural and Religious Beliefs: Some rooted their views in cultural or religious beliefs, expressing concerns about reconciling these beliefs with LGBTQIA+ acceptance.
• Willingness to Learn: Despite their views, some participants showed a willingness to engage and learn more about LGBTQIA+ issues but most of them said they can never be willing to accept the Queer community

Some of the outcomes of the discussion were;

• Promoted Understanding: Bridged the gap between individuals with different views those who are pro and those who anti LGBTQIA+.
• Addressed Misconceptions: Identify and correct common misconceptions about LGBTQIA+ identities and issues.
• Encouraged Inclusivity: Fostered a more inclusive environment by encouraging empathy
• Shared Experiences: Allowed both LGBTQIA+ individuals and those with differing views to share their perspectives.
• Build Bridges: Created pathways for better communication and understanding among all participants.

Conclusion

The open discussion on LGBTQIA+ issues involving individuals with different views and the other neutral was a crucial step towards fostering understanding and inclusivity. By addressing misconceptions and sharing personal experiences, the discussion helped bridge the gap between differing perspectives. Continued dialogue, education, and advocacy are essential for creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all.