A Letter to President William Samoei Arap Ruto

Dear President Ruto,

"Something is rotten in the Republic of Kenya." - DON SANTO

"A politician... one that would circumvent God." - William Shakespeare

In the grand theatre of history, there are few acts more compelling and cautionary than the story of Pharaoh and the plagues. Today, in the Republic of Kenya, we find ourselves cast in a modern-day rendition of this ancient tale. The protests against the Finance Bill 2024 echo the cries of a people pushed to the brink, pleading for relief from the heavy hand of their ruler. It is with this in mind that I write to you, urging you to heed the lessons of the past and the voices of the present.

The Finance Bill 2024, much like the edicts of Pharaoh, imposes undue hardship on the people. It threatens to deepen economic inequality, stifle growth, and erode the social fabric of our nation. The outcry against this bill is not mere noise; it is a reflection of the profound distress felt by Kenyans from all walks of life. They are not protesting for the sake of it; they are fighting for their survival.

The response to these protests has been nothing short of draconian. The killing of protesters by Kenya Police and the illegal deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) are stark reminders of the lengths to which power will go to silence dissent. Article 241 of the Kenyan Constitution clearly states that the deployment of the KDF requires National Assembly approval, a step that has been blatantly ignored. This disregard for legal and democratic processes is not only troubling but also a grave miscalculation. Such measures will not quash the protests; they will only fuel them further.

To believe that force can quell the spirit of a determined populace is to misunderstand the very essence of democracy. The Kenyan people, much like the Israelites under Pharaoh's rule, are resilient and unyielding in the face of oppression. We will not be deterred by bullets or batons. We are driven by a deep-seated belief in justice and a better future for our children.

Your Excellency, the Finance Bill 2024 is a path to ruin. It will push more Kenyans into poverty, widen the already gaping chasm between the rich and the poor, and erode the trust that the people have in their government. As Shakespeare aptly put it, "A politician... one that would circumvent God." To proceed with this bill is to circumvent the principles of fairness, justice, and democracy.

The protests are not a sign of an ungovernable country; they are a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Kenyan people. They are a call for leadership that listens, that empathizes, and that acts in the best interests of all its citizens. They are a reminder that true power lies not in the ability to command, but in the ability to connect and uplift.

It is not too late to change course. By rejecting the Finance Bill 2024 and engaging in meaningful dialogue with the people, you have the opportunity to steer our nation towards a brighter, more equitable future. You have the chance to be remembered not as a Pharaoh, but as a leader who listened, learned, and led with compassion and wisdom.

In closing, I urge you to reflect on the lessons of history and the voices of today. Reject the Finance Bill 2024. Embrace policies that uplift and empower all Kenyans. In doing so, you will honor the spirit of our great nation and the trust of its people.

Yours sincerely,

DON SANTO

Artist, Producer, and Entrepreneur

#RejectFinanceBill2024 #ListenToThePeople #GodForUsAll