Kenyan finance bill protesters take on Christian leaders

In Kenya, the youth protests against planned tax increases have served as a wake-up call for the Church.

They’ve shaken up a powerful institution, in a country where more than 80% of the population, including the president, are Christian.

The young demonstrators accused the Church of siding with the government, and took action against politicians using the pulpit as a political platform.

On a recent Sunday afternoon, Catholic leaders responded to the challenge.

They organised a special Mass for the youth from churches in and around Nairobi, to honour those who’d been killed by police in the anti-tax protests.

Hundreds of young people crowded into the Holy Family Basilica to pray for the dead.

Just weeks earlier, Sunday Mass had been interrupted by chants from the altar of the basilica.

It was an unprecedented protest from young people – the digitally savvy generation known as Generation Z or Gen-Z.

They felt the church wasn’t backing their campaign against tough tax hikes.

Now, Bishop Simon Kamomoe tried to convince them they’d been heard.

“I know as young people sometimes you feel disappointed even in the Church,” he said.

“We would like to renew our commitment in serving you. We can be mistaken…May the Lord forgive us as a Church, where even before God, we have disappointed you.”

He also admonished them to be patient in pursuit of their dreams, to be guided by the Church, and to repent of any sins committed during the protests.

“We don’t want to lose you, we don’t want to lose our young people,” he said, with remarkable candour. “The Catholic bishops are so concerned about losing this generation,” he said, urging them to stay peaceful and protect their lives.

The Mass was punctuated by spirited singing and ended with boisterous cheering as people waved Kenyan flags.

Several who attended said the service was a welcome first step, but a belated one.