How did Kenya's Gen Z protests stop the finance bill?
Jun 27, 2024
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Kenya's Gen Z protests against an unpopular finance bill led to President Ruto conceding. The bill aimed at imposing tax hikes faced backlash, sparking violent street protests resulting in 22 deaths. President Ruto agreed to engage in dialogue with the young protesters. The episode dives into the economic frustrations, tax legislation, and revenue-raising efforts fueling the discontent among citizens in Kenya.
Protests by Kenya's Gen Z highlighted discontent with economic policies and governance.
Concerns over Kenya's government expenditure and potential dire consequences of debt default.
Deep dives
Protests Against Finance Bill in Kenya
After Kenya's President William Ruto faced harsh criticism and protests linked to the Finance Bill 2024, which was seen to burden the poor with additional taxes, including new levies on land and services. The protests, initially led by Gen Z, spread nationally and internationally, showing a broad discontent with economic policies and governance. Calls for accountability and good governance emerged as protesters demanded the bill's withdrawal and highlighted the impact of tax changes on everyday citizens.
Challenges in Expenditure and Debt Repayment
Discussions with an economist revealed concerns over Kenya's expenditure, especially recurrent spending, and the lack of aggressive rationalization in government budgets and expenses. Defaulting on debts, particularly external ones, could lead to complex restructuring processes and dire consequences for the economy, affecting various sectors and citizens. The criticism also focused on the disconnect between leaders' lifestyles and the struggles faced by ordinary Kenyans.
Public Participation and Policy Perception
Public frustration with the Finance Bill processes stemmed from perceived lack of consideration for public input, leading to a sense of cosmetic public participation. The controversies around tax rate introductions and mandatory levies like the affordable housing levy highlighted tensions between government policies and citizen needs. Despite some concessions made in the Finance Bill 2024, prior discontent eroded trust in the policy-making and public engagement processes.
“I concede.”
After a dramatic - and bloody - week of protests on the streets of Kenya, President William Ruto has agreed to ditch his unpopular finance bill. In an address to the nation he said that it was clear that Kenyans “want nothing” to do with the bill which would have introduced controversial tax hikes. Protesters say they would have hit the poorest who are already struggling with rising living costs.
On Tuesday, parliament was set ablaze and lawmakers hid in the basement garage after voting for the bill. At least 22 people were killed in the protests.
Now President Ruto says he will enter into a dialogue with the young people who have led the protests.
For Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja speaks to protesters outside Kenya’s High Commission in London – and gets an explanation of what was behind both the bill and the protests from Julians Amboko, an Economist and Business Journalist based in Kenya.
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