Hundreds of mourners gathered for the funeral of a teenage demonstrator who was killed during the ongoing anti-government protests in Kenya. The death toll from several days of unrest has now reached 27, with three more protesters dying overnight on Friday. The protests have intensified as young activists successfully pushed the government to shelve $2.7 billion in tax hikes and demand an end to corruption and poor governance.

The Kenyan High Court has ordered security forces to halt the use of violence against protesters, including the firing of live rounds, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas, and water cannons. The court ruling came in response to a petition submitted by a lawyer representing political opposition and human rights groups, demanding an end to the use of potentially deadly weaponry by the police. The court also ordered the police to refrain from extrajudicial killings, abductions, and torture against the anti-tax demonstrators.

While the court's ruling is seen as a positive step, there are concerns about its enforcement. Demas Kiprono, acting executive director of the Kenyan Section International Commission of Jurists, pointed out that the court lacks the means to ensure police compliance with the ruling. It falls upon other instruments of government, such as the national police service commission and the executive, to uphold the court's order.

This youth-led protest movement, largely organized through social media, has gained momentum due to legitimate grievances against the government. However, there is internal debate about how best to pursue their objectives. Christine Odera, co-chair of the Kenya Coalition on Youth, Peace, and Security, emphasized the need for the movement to formalize its structures to effectively engage with the government. On the other hand, Ojango Omondi of the Social Justice Centres Working Group warned against allowing the movement to be corrupted by politicians.

The government's next proposal to raise revenues will be closely monitored by protesters, as some suspect it will still attempt to implement tax hikes. These protests have stood out for their ability to build unity among different ethnic groups, setting aside traditional divisions driven by ethnic affiliations. However, tensions have emerged within the movement, particularly in Eldoret, the hometown and political stronghold of President William Ruto. Protesters from Ruto's Kalenjin ethnic group advocate for an end to demonstrations, while ethnic Kikuyus insist on continuing until Ruto resigns.

Despite these internal differences, the movement maintains a strong sense of national purpose. The ongoing protests serve as a powerful symbol of the frustrations felt by many young Kenyans who face limited job prospects despite the country's economic growth. As the movement evolves, protesters and activists are grappling with the best strategies to bring about lasting change and ensure their demands are met.

As Kenya remains embroiled in unrest, all eyes will be on the government's response and its ability to address the grievances of the protestors. The funeral of the teenage demonstrator serves as a stark reminder of the cost of these demonstrations and the urgent need for a resolution.