American musician and songwriter Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, alias Lady Gaga, once said, "Music is one of the most powerful things the world has to offer. No matter what race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, or gender you are, it has the power to unite us."
The power of music was witnessed in Kenya during the 2024 anti-government protests. Kenyans from all walks of life took to the streets to express their grievances against President William Ruto's administration.
Armed with placards, phones, white handkerchiefs, and, in some instances, the Kenyan flag, the protesters often relied on music to motivate and energise them in their quest for better governance.
In this article, we outline five songs that defined the 2024 anti-government protests in Kenya.
Anguka Nayo - Wagliz
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Released on 3 July 2024, Anguka Nayo by Wadagliz, a rap duo consisting of Kantel Mdagliz and MannaZ, has become the official anthem of the anti-government protests in Kenya.
Anguka Nayo is a Swahili phrase that loosely translates to 'Fall with it'. The song has been used to push for the fall of President Ruto's government using #RutoMustGo.
The song, originally composed for party lovers, became a darling for many as the President started conceding to protesters' demands, such as dropping the contentious 2024 Finance Bill.
'Anguka Nayo' further went viral when President Ruto dismissed his Cabinet. Netizens created hilarious memes and ridicule videos featuring the trending hit.
With the Bill rejected and the Cabinet dismissed, they called for the resignation of Japhet Koome, the Inspector General of Police. He also resigned and became a victim of Anguka Nayo.
As the youth continue with the push for more changes, they believe that the remaining issues will also 'Anguka Nayo' in due course.
Reject De Bill - Sir Newson
The Reggae tune was released amid protests over the 2024 Finance Bill. In the song, Newson outlines some reasons why Kenyans rejected the Bill.
"Dem no care bout how we feel, a pile of taxes what the deal, President Ruto don't you see sufferation gripping we families breaking under stress, overtaxation is a mess, reject, reject the Bill, reads a section of the song's lyrics.
The hit dominated TikTok videos, which were used to mobilise the masses for the demos. TikTok users posting content on the Finance Bill used the song to emphasise the message.
The message seems to have reached President William Ruto, who eventually declined to sign the controversial Bill.
Tujiangalie - Sauti Sol ft Nyashinski
Released in August 2018, no one thought the song would gain prominence six years later. However, its message resonated with Kenyans who sought to remind the government that we are not doing well as a country.
Kenyans used the song to spotlight issues such as the country's rising public debt, corruption, and leaders' lack of accountability.
For most Kenyans who took part in the protest both physically and virtually, the message they sent to the government was evident in the song's hook, which partly says: "Tujiangalie (tujiangalie) tuko pabaya leo kuliko jana, tusipo ziba ufa tutajenga kuta.."
Daima - Eric Wainaina
The protests were largely peaceful, and to confirm the same, Kenyans, mainly the youth, often took the streets carrying flags and singing along to the song's lyrics.
On several occasions, Kenyans on the streets were captured singing "Daima mimi mkenya mwananchi mzalendo" which they used to affirm that they are and forever will be patriotic Kenyans.
For the first time, the youth showed that the country can unite regardless of tribe and political inclination. They affirmed the song's lyrics, which push for our unity as a people, a rare fete that must have made Eric Wainaina, the song's composer, happy.
Utawala - Juliani
This is arguably one of the songs that resonated most with the protests. The protesters used the song to consistently remind the government that they will not remain silent amid lousy governance.
While protesting against the Finance Bill, Kenyans used the song to encourage each other to come out and oppose the controversial Bill that sought to increase taxes in the country.
On X , TikTok and other social media platforms, Kenyans were reminded of the powerful lines coined by Juliani, which partly state: "Ufisadi, ubinafsi ukabila kuuza sura hawataki kuuza sera undugu, ni kufaana, sitasimama maovu yakitawala, sitasimama maovu yakitawala."
