Kenya has seen a striking clash between the youth and the government, following the announcement of the contentious 2024 Finance Bill. This remarkable event truly highlights the power young people can have in making an impact on their national policy.

What was in the 2024 Finance Bill?

The Finance Bill, which was put forward by President Ruto, included tax increases on essential items and goods which aimed to raise $2.3bn of additional revenue in an attempt to address Kenya’s fiscal deficit and reduce national debt. This was in line with the IMF’s programme which requires Kenya to reduce government spending and increase tax revenues to reduce its deficit from 5.7% of its GDP in 2023-24 to 3.3% for the next fiscal year. However, the burden of the external debt repayments was placed on the citizens of Kenya who have been facing high unemployment and increased cost of living for the past decade.

What happened next?

Resistance to the bill started online with the social media hashtag “#RejectFinanceBill2024” and various online campaigns to mobilize support. This then became widespread and led to the young Kenyans taking their frustrations out through organizing street protests. Chaos, violence and brutality lined the streets of Kenya in cities like Nairobi, Mombasa and Nakuru as the youth fought for their nation’s livelihood.

The protests in Nairobi became more intense as the protestors clashed with the police leading to tear gas, arrests, a devastating shooting outside the national parliament, where 23 people have been reported dead, and other brutal massacres around the country. However, the protesters remained committed and resilient with the support of local communities and businesses to continue to fight against this bill. The government eventually succumbed to the pressure and the internal unrest, forcing them to reconsider their stance and reject the Finance Bill.

What can we learn from this?

The rejection of the Finance Bill gives testament to how much of an impact the youth of a nation can have when united and fuelled by a clear common goal. This was a pivotal event in Kenya’s democratic journey, highlighting the indisputable influence of its young citizens in shaping national discourse.

Learn more about it below:

https://news.sky.com/video/deadly-protests-in-nairobi-over-kenyas-controversial-finance-bill-13161325

https://www.ft.com/content/0aa8780f-e50d-4238-9fca-431cc4e978eb