My highlight of the day: Police were firing teargas canisters and rubber bullets ,one hit the guy in blue as he went down. A guy next to me withstood the fierce firing that was happening to go rescue him out of more danger.
ID CARDS do not expire.
ID CARDS do not expire.
ID CARDS do not expire.
ID CARDS do not expire.
ID CARDS do not expire.
ID CARDS do not expire.
ID CARDS do not expire.
ID CARDS do not expire.
Kenyan by birth. Forever a Kenyan. A Kenyan does not expire.
RT widely.
President Ruto: "To the mother of the 12-year-old shot with 8 bullets, I promise to provide an explanation and ensure accountability. Every child deserves safety and justice."
#PresidentialRoundtable#RutoMustGo
WSR describing the kids who were shot dead in parliament as 'victims of demonstrations' is a very curious turn of phrase. Also one which will not land well with the public.
WSR: "I am sure the police will have an explanation for every situation they were engaged in."
How do the police explain shooting a child 8-times? What possilbe justification could any police man have for that?
Good Morning Kenya
Final submission 27th June 2024
In Henrik Ibsen's play "An Enemy of the People," Dr. Thomas Stockman used the term "collosal stupidity" reflecting his frustration with the collective behavior of the town's people. Stockman discovers that the town's lucrative spa waters are contaminated, posing a severe health risk. However, when he tries to make this public, he faces intense opposition from the town’s leaders and citizens, who prioritize economic gain over public health.
In relation to a large crowd possibly who may or may not march to the #RoadstoStateHouse their decision-making, and psychology, "colossal stupidity" highlights the following aspects:
1. Groupthink
Large groups often fall into groupthink, where the desire for harmony and conformity results in irrational or dysfunctional decision-making.
In the play, the townspeople, driven by fear of economic loss, collectively reject Stockman’s evidence without critically evaluating it.
2. Mob Mentality
When individuals are part of a large crowd, they might engage in behaviors they would typically avoid when acting individually. The anonymity and shared responsibility within a crowd can lead to irrational, emotional, and sometimes aggressive actions. The townspeople in the play turn against Stockman, branding him a traitor for threatening their economic interests.
3. Social Pressure and Influence
Leaders or influential figures within a group can significantly sway the opinions and actions of the crowd.
In "An Enemy of the People," the mayor (Stockman’s brother) and other town leaders manipulate public opinion against Stockman to protect their interests.
4. Resistance to Change
Large groups often resist change, especially when it challenges their beliefs or threatens their stability. The townspeople's refusal to acknowledge the contaminated water problem illustrates their reluctance to accept inconvenient truths that would necessitate costly and disruptive changes.
5. Short-term vs. Long-term Thinking
Crowds often prioritize immediate benefits over long-term welfare. The economic prosperity brought by the spa waters blinds the townspeople to the long-term health implications of ignoring Stockman’s findings.
Putting into Current Gen Z Context;
When mass actions such as protests or marches devolve into violence, they often exhibit several psychological and social dynamics similar to those described by Dr. Thomas Stockman as "colossal stupidity." Of course it takes a police or people in the crowd a simple action to spark the subsequent GroupThink. We saw how the protestors intensified the mass action and breached #occupyparliarment when some protesters were shot. The police sparked the GroupThink. Hence the saying "The IMF Doesn't Put Out Fires, It Starts Them (Barrow, 1998).
These dynamics can lead to chaotic and destructive outcomes, such as those witnessed in various global events, including the violent protests and coups. This is why:
Group Polarization
In a protest or mass action, people with similar grievances come together, which can amplify their emotions and convictions. This group polarization often leads to more extreme positions and actions than individuals might take alone. The collective outrage can escalate into violence against authorities and property, it may not be controlled and the fear is gone.
Deindividuation
Individuals in large crowds may lose their sense of self and moral accountability. Anonymity and the feeling of being just one among many can lead to behavior they would typically avoid, such as vandalism, looting, or attacking police. The crowd provides a kind of psychological shield, reducing personal responsibility.
Emotional Contagion
Emotions, especially anger and fear, can spread rapidly through a crowd. When one person acts out, others may follow, creating a chain reaction. This can escalate tensions between protesters and police, leading to violent confrontations and property destruction.
Authority Dynamics
The presence and actions of police or military can significantly impact the crowd's behavior. Aggressive or heavy-handed tactics by authorities, such as shooting protestors, can inflame the crowd's anger and lead to further violence. Conversely, a lack of adequate response can embolden the crowd, leading to more widespread chaos and even attempts to overthrow existing structures, as seen in coups.
Us vs. Them Mentality
Protests often create a stark division between the crowd and the perceived enemy (e.g., police, sellout Mps, officials). This dichotomy can dehumanize the opposition, making violence against them seem more justifiable. In Sri Lanka, for instance, economic hardship and corruption led to widespread protests that escalated into an assault on government buildings and officials. In Kenya, similar case was witnessed and we are debunking.
Escalation and Feedback Loops
Initial confrontations can create a feedback loop of escalating violence. Police actions can provoke a violent response from protesters, which in turn prompts a more aggressive crackdown by police, creating a cycle of escalating conflict.
Media and Communication
The role of social media and news coverage can also amplify tensions.But do not be fooled that shutting down social media or Internet helps in such situation, the information flow follows "grapevine" and information spread like wild fire and doesn't originate from any particular source. Instant communication can mobilize more people quickly, spread real or perceived grievances, and even misinform, leading to heightened emotions and reactions.
Social Identity Theory
Individuals derive part of their identity from the groups to which they belong. In mass protests, the collective identity can dominate, pushing individuals to act in ways that align with group norms and objectives, even if those actions are extreme or violent.
Understanding these dynamics is crucial police and protest organizer's, but more complex in Gen Z's as they are Leaderless, Tribeless, and Partyless to manage and de-escalate potential conflicts. Police can employ crowd control measures that emphasize de-escalation and non-violence, while protesters can work to maintain peaceful demonstrations and prevent opportunistic violence. Recognizing and addressing the underlying grievances that lead to mass actions is also essential to preventing such situations from turning ugly.
To conclude, this final submission in the wake of current disposition in Kenya, is neither a post for or against #RoadstoStateHouse or #RutoMustGo it is an informative piece take it like "just saying".
#RejectFinanceBill2024
#ROADTOSTATEHOUSE
#RevolutionNowOrNever
National Assembly Standing Order 140 provides for the withdrawal of a Bill.
In light of the #FinanceBill2024, the Bill cannot be withdrawn after it has been passed by the House (3rd reading).
Any changes to the Bill are hence made in adherence to Article 115 of the COK.
PLEASE REMEMBER THEY HAVE NOT KILLED KIKUYUS OR MOUNT KENYA PEOPLE IN GITHURAI AND JUJA THEY HAVE KILLED KENYANS,KALENJINS DID NOT DEMONSTRATE IN ELDORET KENYANS DID.
WE ARE TRIBELESS AND PARTYLESS IN THIS FIGHT FOR A BETTER KENYA.
A PEOPLE UNITED CAN NEVER BE DEFEATED!💪🏿💪🏿
@IntlCrimCourt@UN@_AfricanUnion
If you are in town and unable to leave, don’t worry. Mavuno Downtown, Ufungamano House, and Mamlaka Hill Chapel City are hosting people.
Please share widely.
#RejectFinanceBill2024
Freed by his words: A protester secures freedom for himself and his fellow demonstrator by articulating the reasons behind their protests, advocating for his and other Kenyans' rights, during the #RejectFinanceBill2024 protests.
Shot by @ElijahKanyi.