Some people say that a psychiatric should examine him. Is he mad?
Others say that he is one among many frustrated youths. Is he a hero?
The GSU guards at State House shot him to immobilize him. Is he a villain?
Brian Bera, the JKUAT student who wanted to attack Uhuru at State House. Is he a madman, hero, or villain?
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Stewin Munga
In public, we all call him a mad man but secretly he is our hero. We the people are the villains.
Precious Wamau
There is a book called Dissent, Protest and Dispute in Africa by Toyin Falola and Emmanuel Mbah. It provides unique and detailed perspectives on different aspects of dissent, protest and disputes and how these have, in turn, continued to pose challenges in Africa.
The contributors argue that, dissent, protest and most forms of disputes in Africa are the result of daily challenges that its people have faced and continue to encounter to this day. These challenges include, amongst others, demands for transparency, good governance and accountability; waves of instability that have created insecurity in most parts of the continent, an unsustainable level of youth unemployment, rapid population growth, a continent-wide healthcare and poverty crises and numerous environmental challenges.
The chapters elevate the debates on dissent, protest and disputes/conflict in Africa by adding new ideas and introducing new and useful interpretations. The book’s strength lies in the contributors’ ability to conflate colonial and postcolonial tendencies to show how challenges of the past are not so different from those of today, while also presenting important historical issues from various scholarly perspectives.
Sandra Faith
It depends on where you are standing. The officers had a job, to protect. But I’d want to think he’s a mad hero. He’s a hero because he is a typical case of frustrated youths in Kenya today. He sparked a conversation that sadly didn’t take off but at least he tried. He’s mad, I mean what sober mind does that?
Ian Ngugi
He is neither of the above. A more accurate term is stupid. How can you risk your life without any plan or strategy. He is now behind bars and almost useless to the struggle. Just like many other youth, I agree with his sentiments but how far did he think he was going to go with a knife against the presidential security?
Phanice Wamukota
He was just mad with anger and frustrations. He knew something needed to be done just like we all do. He did what he could. And actually, he could be the only sane one for trying to do something. The rest of us waiting for issues to resolve themselves could be the mad ones.
Nahashon Kimemia
I love that quote Martha. Thank you.
Martha Nyaboke
The story of Brian Bera made me want to read this book again. Francis Imbuga was futuristic and there’s much more hidden in there.
Martha Nyaboke
When the madness of an entire nation disturbs a solitary mind, it is not enough to say the man is mad. – Francis Imbuga