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Pastor and motivational speaker Robert Burale joined the Gen Z youth in peaceful protests in Nairobi on Sunday to oppose the controversial Finance Bill of 2024. The demonstration reflects widespread public discontent with the proposed bill, which has sparked debates and concerns across various sectors of society.
The Finance Bill of 2024 has been a contentious issue, with critics arguing that its provisions could have adverse economic impacts on ordinary citizens. By participating in the protest, Burale and the youth voiced their opposition and called for reconsideration of the bill’s stipulations.
Peaceful protests are a way for citizens to express their opinions and influence legislative processes. The participation of prominent figures like Burale can amplify the message and draw more attention to the concerns being raised about the bill.
Last weekend, the Gen Z youth involved in the protests against the Finance Bill of 2024 released a schedule to gather at places of worship nationwide. Their goal is to convey their message to church leaders, urging them to prevent politicians from engaging in political activities within churches. This initiative highlights the youths’ desire to keep religious spaces free from political influence and maintain the sanctity of places of worship.
By organizing gatherings at religious institutions, the youth aim to leverage the moral and ethical influence of church leaders to support their cause and discourage the politicization of religious spaces. This move reflects a broader concern about the intersection of politics and religion in Kenya and underscores the youths’ commitment to advocating for their beliefs in a respectful and strategic manner.
The youth have expressed their frustration with politicians who attend services at various places of worship and subsequently cause political commotion on the pulpit. They strongly urged religious leaders to prevent such activities and blamed the church for remaining silent during protests against the controversial Finance Bill of 2024.
Burale’s apology addressed these concerns, acknowledging the youths’ feelings of being let down by the church. He clarified that the church does speak out but often is not heard, emphasizing the importance of aligning with the youth rather than blaming them.
“Yes, it is true that I apologized to Gen Z on behalf of the church, not because the church doesn’t speak, but because we speak and are not heard. Because you cannot tell Gen Z that it’s their fault; that would mean we are not with them. So I apologized on behalf of the church, telling them that if they feel we have let them down, we are sorry,” Burale explained.
Burale defended the church, stating that the current situation has been an eye-opener. He promised that moving forward, the church will be more vocal in raising its voice against injustices and will also offer prayers for the youth and the government. “And we hope that from now on, we will be more vocal and also pray for them, pray for the government, and after everything is said and done, God must remain exalted and worshiped.”
When asked if he would join the protests on Tuesday this week to support Gen Z, Burale’s response was pending, but his active engagement with the youth and his public apology signify a stronger alliance between the church and the younger generation in advocating for social and political change.
“We, as advisors and pastors, must be close to these young people. I am also a parent to a 19-year-old, a Gen Z. So I can be there as a father to tell them where I see them going astray and guide them back to the right path.”
Burale’s remarks underscore the necessity of fostering a supportive environment where young people feel heard and valued, while also being open to constructive guidance. His involvement in the protests and public apology on behalf of the church demonstrate a proactive approach in bridging the gap between the church and the youth, advocating for a collaborative effort to address societal and political issues.
This commitment to mentorship and active participation in youth movements aims to ensure that the voices of Gen Z are not only acknowledged but also guided with wisdom and care, reinforcing the church’s role as a pillar of support and moral guidance in the community.
