The African Secretariat of the International Human Rights Art Movement has announced a call for entries for its latest competition, “GEN Z Kenyan National Poetry Competition.” This was disclosed in a press statement issued by the African Director of IHRAM, Wole Adedoyin. The competition aims to capture the experiences and thoughts of Kenyans and foreign observers regarding the recent nationwide protests in Kenya.
Kenya has been engulfed in protests due to proposed tax hikes, among other issues. Citizens are outraged by the rising cost of living and have accused the president of failing to fulfill campaign promises. The finance bill, which details the government’s budget allocation plans, has been a focal point of the protests, with many arguing that it will further burden already overtaxed workers. Despite the government’s decision to abandon plans to impose a 16% tax on bread and a 25% duty on cooking oil, the protesters demand that the entire bill be scrapped.
The youth, particularly Generation Z, have been at the forefront of these protests. Despite Kenya’s status as East Africa’s economic powerhouse, the country grapples with high youth unemployment, making it difficult for many to make ends meet. Protests against the tax hikes have spread to at least 35 of Kenya’s 47 counties, with incidents of looting and property destruction reported. Since the demonstrations began last month, at least 39 people have been killed, and over 300 have been arrested.
The GEN Z Kenyan National Poetry Competition provides a platform for participants to express their perspectives on these critical events through poetry. The competition is open to Kenyans and Gen Z protest observers from other countries. Entries will be evaluated based on originality of thought, use of poetic devices, and adherence to contest rules, with a focus on themes related to the recent protests and their impact.
Outstanding entries from the competition will be compiled and published in a printed book format. This publication aims to preserve the voices and narratives of those directly impacted by the protests, ensuring their stories are documented and remembered for future generations. By creating a lasting record of these events, the competition seeks to foster understanding and reflection on the social and political dynamics at play, highlighting the resilience and strength of the affected communities.
Prizes for the competition include $100 for the first prize, $75 for the second prize, and $50 for the third prize, with five honorable mentions also receiving recognition. Certificates of Participation will be awarded to all entrants, and Certificates of Excellence will be awarded to shortlisted entrants. Only shortlisted works will be published.
Submission guidelines are as follows: Language Medium: English, Eligibility: Open to Kenyans and Gen Z Protest Observers (from other countries), Genre: Poetry, Entries must relate directly to the purpose of the competition, Entrants must provide their name, age, student identity card, gender, country, address, phone number, source of call for entries information, a short profile, permission to publish the essay, and name of school or university (if applicable), Email subject should be “GEN Z KENYAN NATIONAL POETRY COMPETITION”, All entries must be submitted to wole@humanrightsartmovement.org and copied to ihrafafrica@humanrightsartmovement.org, Submission deadline: October 30, 2024, Evidence of plagiarism will lead to disqualification, Organizers’ decisions are final
For inquiries, contact Wole Adedoyin at +2348072673852 or woleadedoyin@gmail.com. There is no fee to submit work, and the deadline for entries is January 31, 2025. The African Secretariat of IHRAM encourages all eligible participants to seize this opportunity to make their voices heard through poetry
