Lupita Nyong'o criticizes the Kenyan government's harsh response to anti-tax protests. Her comments draw from her family's history of political repression, urging respect for human rights and highlighting the resilience of this generation's activists.
Lupita Nyong'o's Call for Justice Amid Kenya's Protest Regime
Lupita Nyong'o's Call for Justice Amid Kenya's Protest Regime
Actress Lupita Nyong'o raises concerns over the government's handling of anti-tax protests in Kenya, drawing from personal family history.
In a candid interview, actress Lupita Nyong'o condemned the Kenyan authorities' forceful crackdown on anti-tax protests, which reportedly led to numerous deaths and forced disappearances. Nyong'o, with roots deeply entwined in both Kenyan politics and human rights activism, compared the government's acts to the oppressive regime of former President Daniel arap Moi. Her father, Anyang' Nyong'o, a county governor and former political detainee, symbolizes the ongoing struggle for democratic freedoms in Kenya. Drawing parallels between past and present, Lupita highlights the chilling notion of history repeating itself. She expressed gratitude for the courage of young Kenyans who challenge the status quo despite heavy-handed government responses.
The Kenyan government, in defense, claimed it has cooperated with protesters, suggesting that the protests' catalyst was a controversial tax legislation. Yet, official statements on the alleged police violence remain vague. During the same period, Lupita shared insights on her podcast, Mind Your Own, which invites listeners to explore the multi-faceted stories of African life beyond the typical narratives of strife. Her father's story features in an episode, casting light on the challenges faced by activists. The podcast, produced with contributions from many African creatives, embodies Nyong'o's aim to present diverse and unique tales from the continent. Despite its endeavor to revitalize African storytelling, she acknowledges the impossibility of capturing the fullness of Africa's diverse narrative in a single platform.
The Kenyan government, in defense, claimed it has cooperated with protesters, suggesting that the protests' catalyst was a controversial tax legislation. Yet, official statements on the alleged police violence remain vague. During the same period, Lupita shared insights on her podcast, Mind Your Own, which invites listeners to explore the multi-faceted stories of African life beyond the typical narratives of strife. Her father's story features in an episode, casting light on the challenges faced by activists. The podcast, produced with contributions from many African creatives, embodies Nyong'o's aim to present diverse and unique tales from the continent. Despite its endeavor to revitalize African storytelling, she acknowledges the impossibility of capturing the fullness of Africa's diverse narrative in a single platform.
