Is This the Gen Z Movement Against Unfulfilled Promises?

These were the largest and most impactful demonstrations organized by this generation thus far. The events leading up to the protests showcased a remarkable level of coordination and strategy through digital platforms. 

Is This the Gen Z Movement Against Unfulfilled Promises?

By Treezer Michelle Atieno and Seliphar Musungu Machoni

In the past few weeks, Kenya has experienced a significant shift in its political and governance landscape. Generation Z protests, which occurred nationwide, marked a pivotal moment in digital activism globally.

These were the largest and most impactful demonstrations organized by this generation thus far. The events leading up to the protests showcased a remarkable level of coordination and strategy through digital platforms. 

These young people, who initially supported President William Ruto due to his promises of economic relief, have now taken to the streets to oppose painful reforms.

The protests, known as the Anti-Finance Bill protests, began in Nairobi on June 18, coinciding with the tabling of the Finance Bill 2024 for debate in parliament by Kuria Kimani, the Chair of the National Assembly Finance Committee.

Through this bill, the Kenya Kwanza administration aimed to raise Ksh 302 billion through various tax measures. These included an increase in the VAT rate for ordinary bread from 0 percent to 16 percent, a proposed motor vehicle tax of 2.5 percent based on the vehicle's value, the introduction of a 16 percent VAT on financial services, and imposing a 25 percent excise duty on crude palm oil and finished cooking oil.

By Thursday the 20th, the protests had spread nationwide, with marches taking place in at least 18 counties, including Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nakuru. This widespread demonstration disrupted business activities in several towns across the country.

Despite the protests, lawmakers passed the finance bill in its second reading on the same day, moving the contested tax proposals to the next stage for approval. However, some amendments were suggested, including a reduction in VAT on bread and the motor vehicle tax.

During the Thursday protests, one person, Rex Maasai, was fatally shot, and another injured protester died the following day.On Tuesday, June 25, lawmakers gathered to vote on the proposed changes to the bill. The parliament's budget committee warned that these changes would create a Ksh 200 billion ($1.56 billion) deficit in the 2024/25 budget and necessitate government spending cuts.

Nonetheless, Kenyans, still grappling with the heavy taxation introduced under the Finance Act 2023, demanded a complete overhaul of the entire Finance Bill 2024.

However, just hours before the session, opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) withdrew their proposed amendments to the bill, showing support for the Gen Z agenda by rejecting the bill entirely. Despite this development, the MPs went ahead and passed the bill, making it a law if signed by the president. Less than two hours later, thousands of youths stormed Kenya's parliament.

During the attack, part of the parliament building was set on fire, causing the legislators to flee. This was the most direct assault on the government in decades. Live broadcasts showed at least three bodies outside the complex where police had fired shots, and medical workers reported five other fatalities.

The protesters had demanded that lawmakers vote against the bill, which imposed new taxes in a country where frustrations over the high cost of living have been bubbling. However, the legislators voted to pass the bill and then escaped through a tunnel as protesters managed to circumvent the police and enter the premises. The protesters also set fire to Nairobi City Hall.

According to the Kenya Medical Association and other groups, at least five people were fatally shot while trying to treat the injured.

As a result of public pressure, President Ruto reversed his decision to sign the controversial Finance Bill 2024 on June 26. This decision came after massive protests across the country on June 25, 2024, which resulted in over 22 casualties.

Despite this reversal, the nationwide Gen Z protests continue, with the youth highlighting a range of issues including high unemployment rates, poverty, the cost of living, and corruption.

Joel Okwaro, a resident of Kakamega, has condemned high taxation in the country. "This government taxes the poor so the rich can spend, borrows more to fund the office of the president, the deputy president, the office of the spouse of the deputy president, the office of the spouse of the president, and the office of the spouse of the Prime Cabinet Secretary whom no one voted for," says Joel Okwaro.

The young protesters insist that cabinet secretaries with criminal records and corruption cases should be dismissed. They are also calling for the elimination of the first lady, second lady, and the wife of the prime cabinet secretary positions. Furthermore, they demand that the government review and decrease the salaries of executive and legislative members. Lastly, they demand accountability for the 50-plus missing persons since the start of the protests, as well as compensation for the families of those who died during the protests.

At present, Kenya has an unemployment rate of 12 percent, with youth accounting for 68 percent of the unemployed population. Additionally, the country is grappling with a cost-of-living crisis fueled by high inflation rates.

The proposed taxes align with a pattern of elected officials believing that increasing taxes will alleviate Kenya's debt crisis, but the Kenyan people feel penalized. These policies do not benefit the young, who comprise 75 percent of the population according to the 2019 census.

Kenya's public debt as of April 2024 amounted to Ksh 10.54 trillion ($82.34 billion), with external debt reaching Ksh 5.2 trillion ($40.62 billion) and domestic debt totaling Ksh 5.3 trillion ($41.4 billion). Interest payments for the 2024/2025 fiscal year are estimated to exceed Ksh 1 trillion ($7.81 billion). The debt decreased by Ksh 598 billion ($4.67 billion) from Ksh 11.4 trillion ($89.06 billion) due to the appreciation of the Kenyan shilling against the dollar and the euro, which make up 88 percent of the debt stock.

Compared to previous opposition-led protests that relied on traditional methods of mobilization, such as ethnic rallies and physical gatherings, the Gen Z protests are organized and coordinated using social media.

Additionally, more extreme forms of digital activism, including hacking government websites and publicly sharing the phone numbers of political leaders, are used. These youth have also created a website called the "Wall of Shame," which lists the politicians supporting the bill, increasing public pressure for them to reconsider.

The response of government officials has further infuriated the youth, and confrontations with the law are expected in the coming days, especially because of the unaddressed issues of police brutality.

The officer who shot and killed Rex Masai on June 20 was identified on X as Isaiah Ndumba Murangiri from Kamukunji police station. Murangiri was captured on camera firing tear gas canisters and shooting at peaceful protesters at close range.

On June 25, a sniper positioned on top of the Parliament building was also captured shooting protesters who were entering the parliament buildings. Despite calls for an investigation, the identity of the sniper, dressed in a black cape and mask, remains undisclosed.

Until now, no police officer has been arrested or prosecuted for any incident of police brutality in Kenya.

Victor Otieno, a youth from Kangemi Estate in Nairobi, expressed his dissatisfaction with how the government is handling police brutality.

"The president has avoided accountability for his own shoot-to-kill orders and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, has distanced himself and is blaming security agents for extrajudicial killings," said Victor.

President Ruto is currently facing challenges and constraints during his presidency. In just his second year in office, President Ruto is unexpectedly facing an uprising from frustrated and impatient Gen Zs, who were previously law-abiding hustlers from various tribes and are now turning these protests into a movement that threatens the stability of the government. Experts argue that he must carefully consider every action, taking into account the potential consequences that could impact his chances of re-election in 2027.