TAXI TRAORÉ! THE WHEELS OF REVOLUTION?

The revolutions in the Sahel have captured the imaginations of Africans across the continent - including artists who decorate Kenya’s beloved ‘matatu’ taxi minibuses, which are like art galleries on wheels. Their exteriors are typically bedecked with colourful graffiti-style designs and cartoons, as well as portraits of cult musicians and actors. But a new face has been spotted on Nairobi matatus: that of Burkina Faso’s anti-imperialist leader, Ibrahim Traoré.

Like the people of Burkina Faso, Kenyans have been standing up for their rights and fighting back against exploitation by imperialist foreign actors. This was most evident in the recent mass protests that swept Kenya in opposition to IMF-pushed tax hikes. These were mainly attended by young people, undeterred by the harsh police crackdown which proved fatal to dozens. Burkina’s youth are also instrumental in the change their country is undergoing, with Traoré - at 36 - one of the world’s youngest leaders.

So the question for Kenyans is: will it just be their matatus’ wheels that will be experiencing a ‘revolution’?

Video credit: @Abraza Africana