The highly sensational music trio hailing from Nairobi Eastlands: Domani Munga, Sewer Sydaa, and Scar make up the rap group Wakadinali. They have been in the hip-hop industry for at least 10 years, albeit underground.
Their music is sensitive and urgent and mirrors life in the neck of the woods. They were born and bred in the gutters facing poverty, crime, gender-based violence, prostitution, and exploitation by politicians daily. They have a massive following, especially the younger and middle-aged generation, thanks to their very relatable music. Wakadinali is never on time. They are always ahead of the times and you have to be a great decoder to unpack the gems in their controversial and cultural music.
The Day Came
Back in 2019, their single “Kuna Siku Youth Wataungana” featuring Sir Bwoy, wasn’t just another one of their politically correct songs. It was a rallying call to challenge the status quo. The Finance Bill proposals for 2024 is the straw that broke the camel’s back. Tuesday, June 25th was no ordinary day in Kenya. The President was shocked as motivated youngsters armed with cameras, water bottles, gas masks, and hilarious placards took to the streets to protest against the proposed punitive tax laws.
More than 14 people were killed and Parliament set ablaze that day as they carried iut the “7 days of rage”. The lawmakers allied to Ruto passed controversial tax law which has provoked the uprising. All over the country, the youth poured out in their thousands, shouting down the government, burning and looting properties associated with ruling party lawmakers. Nairobi was the epicentre of the demonstrations being the symbol of power, but even in the President’s home city of Eldoret hundreds descended on Ruto’s right hand MP and vandalised his soon-to-be-opened night club and made away expensive liquor.
Changing The Narrative
The leadership of the country has long been under the strong arm of the old guards who are protecting the system from which they benefit. On the other hand, the youth are vibrant and booming with fresh ideas, wanting change here and now. Their push for change faces strong opposition from the older generation, especially those in power.
The song was aimed at mobilizing and organizing the youth to set formation in their quest for political and financial freedom. The day is here, 5 years later, it came to pass. The revolution has been “televised”. Sir Bwoy’s passionate cry on the chorus, hands up in defiance, donning the Kenyan flag and tribal body markings, captures the patriotic scenes of the protesters as they made themselves count in a fight for better governance.
The Ripple Effect
The youth-led “Occupy Parliament” protests in Kenya have achieved so much mileage with the government keen to maintain the narrative that it is business as usual. Some of the results they have achieved so far include:
- withdrawal of Finance Bill 2024
- scrapping of wasteful state offices and positions
- sacking of the cabinet
- Ruto’s dialogue with Gen-Z on Twitter (now X)
- the resignation of the Inspector General of Police
- plans for protests by young people in multiple countries in Africa.
The political seed that Wakadinali planted back then, through the conscious anthem, is now bearing fruit. The youth have finally come together for a just cause: to put the government of the day in check. They are no longer divided along religious, financial, tribal, and regional lines.
What started as an agitation developed into a fully fledged movement putting Wakadinali at the centre of it. The phrase “Kuna siku mayouth Wataungana”, which loosely translates to “there’s a day the youth will speak with one voice”, has come to pass. It wasn’t just a song, it was a prophecy.
