Her bold stance against anti-riot police during the protests against the now-withdrawn Finance Bill earned her widespread praise.
Her name is Shakira Wafula, and in videos circulated online, she can be heard telling police officers, "I'm here for Kenyans, I'm here for my people, I'm here for your rights. Nitoe!! Nitoe baba! Sitoki!" she instructed the officer, who appeared frustrated.
Many have compared her to earlier freedom fighters who did not fear confrontation. Even CNN Africa Correspondent Larry Madowo was left impressed.
The journalist shared a video of an encounter with her in Nairobi's CBD on July 4, where he praised her bravery.
Shakira also spoke to Kenya Online Media about her boldness that day. "Deep inside, I was really scared. I was thinking, I'm doing a stare down, but if this guy just decides to act crazy, I don't know what will happen," she recalled about that viral moment.
She was standing along Cardinal Otunga Road after a heated moment between protesters and anti-riot police, who had lobbed tear gas canisters into the crowd. A water cannon had also begun spraying the youth.
"When they saw me, because of how I was dressed and holding the flag, they just assumed I was one of them, possibly even a leader, since I was at the front. They approached me," she said, describing the very intimidating moment.
Larry Madowo happened to be nearby and recorded the confrontation. Coincidentally, Shakira had been arrested the previous week while demonstrating. Four men in plain clothes grabbed her and took her to Central Police Station.
She was outraged and frustrated with the economic and political environment. "It doesn't take excessive intelligence to recognize when something wrong is being done, especially when money is being used excessively," she said.
Shakira took the time to read the proposed Finance Bill before demonstrating. "That understanding, those moral values, are something they cannot take away from us," she concluded.
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