GEN Z KENYAN NATIONAL POETRY COMPETITION

CALL FOR ENTRIES

No fee to submit work!

DEADLINE: 31 January, 2025

Proposed tax hikes are just one of the many factors sparking Kenya's nationwide protests. Citizens are deeply unhappy about the rising cost of living and have accused the president of making false promises.

A finance bill outlines how the government plans to allocate its budget, often presented to parliament before the beginning of the fiscal year, which in Kenya runs from July to June.

Young protesters in Kenya, identifying as Generation Z (GEN Z), have been rallying for days against the country's finance bill. They argue it will further burden already overtaxed Kenyan workers. Following public outcry, the government abandoned its plans to impose a 16% tax on bread and a 25% duty on cooking oil, but the protesters are demanding the entire bill be scrapped.

Despite being East Africa's economic powerhouse, Kenya continues to grapple with youth unemployment, and many Kenyans struggle to make ends meet.

Protests against the tax hikes have spread to at least 35 of Kenya’s 47 counties. In some instances, looting and destruction of property have been reported.

At least 39 people have been killed, and over 300 arrested in demonstrations that began last month over the planned tax hikes.

The GEN Z National Poetry Competition is dedicated to capturing the experiences and thoughts of Kenyans and foreign observers regarding recent protests that have resulted in significant loss of life and numerous incarcerations. This competition provides a platform for participants to express their perspectives on these critical events through the art of poetry.

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 that their stories are documented and remembered for future generations.

By creating a lasting record of these events, the GEN Z National Poetry 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 TO BE WON:

• First Prize - $100
• Second Prize - $75
• Third Prize - $50
• Five honorable mentions

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

1.      Language Medium: English
2.      Eligibility: Open to Kenyans and Gen Z Protest Observers (From other Countries).
3.      Genre: Poetry
4.      Entries will be evaluated based on originality of thought, poetic devices, and adherence to contest rules. The chosen subject must directly relate to the purpose of the competition, or the submission will be disqualified.
5.      Entrants are required to provide the following information with their entries:
·         Name
·         Age
·         Student Identity Card
·         Gender
·         Country
·         Address
·         Phone Number
·         Source of Call for Entries information
·         Short Profile about yourself
·         Permission to publish the essay (in one or two paragraphs)
·         Name of school or university (if applicable)
·         Permission to publish the work among the shortlisted entries.
6.      The email subject should be “GEN Z NATIONAL POETRY COMPETITION."
7.      All entries must be submitted to wole@humanrightsartmovement.org and copyihrafafrica@humanrightsartmovement.org.
8.      Submission deadline: October 30, 2024.
9.      Any evidence of plagiarism will lead to disqualification.
10.  Organizers' decisions are final.

OTHER BENEFITS

·         Certificates of Participation will be awarded to all entrants.
·         Certificates of Excellence will be awarded to shortlisted entrants.
·         Only shortlisted works will be published.

For inquiries, contact Wole Adedoyin at +2348072673852 or woleadedoyin@gmail.com.

Above image by Jil Okonma

Below image by Adedokun Sharon Eniola