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Kenyan Youth Rise Up: Social Media Fuels Anti-Finance Bill Movement

By Seliphar Machoni
Armed with bottles of water to quench their thirst under the scorching sun and proudly carrying
the Kenyan flag, a group of Generation Z youths in various towns across Kenya made a striking
sight. Dressed in all black attire and wearing black masks, they marched with determination,
carrying banners boldly stating #RejectFinanceBill. Their faces displayed a mix of regret and
pain.
In unison, they chanted, "Reject the finance bill." These young activists were part of a new wave
of dissent, challenging the Finance Bill 2024 and the economic policies it represented. Their
coordinated marches through cities, including Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, Kakamega,
Nyahururu, Meru, Kisii, Eldoret, Nakuru, Nyeri, Nandi, and Homabay, went beyond mere
protests. They symbolized a collective outcry against perceived injustices and broken promises.
"I am here, working hard for a country I love. It's my first time doing this because my parents are
old; they cannot participate anymore," said 24-year-old Ken Makilya, echoing the sentiments of
many other protesters.
The Finance Bill entailed heavy taxes on basic items such as sanitary towels, diapers, and
essential food products. It also taxed land and allocated funds to non-functional offices like the
president's and cabinet secretary's spouse offices. If enacted, these measures could significantly
impact the livelihoods of Kenyan citizens already burdened by the outgoing finance bill.
For these young people, who were already struggling in an uncertain economic climate, the bill
was seen as a betrayal of the promises made during President William Ruto's campaign.
"We instructed our members of parliament, who work for us, to reject the finance bill rather than
amend it because the taxes are too burdensome for Kenyans. We are not accepting the amended
bill; we reject every clause. I remember during the campaign, the president promised the boda
boda and mama mboga that their needs would be prioritised in the Kenya Kwanza government,
but they are the ones being undermined by the same government," said Joel Okwako.
Many believed that there was a political party or organised movement with elected leaders that
had brought all Generation Z individuals together, but that was not the case. In reality, their
organisation was formed through social media platforms such as TikTok, X, Instagram, and
WhatsApp. It was on these platforms where they developed strategies and shared real-time
updates on demonstrations and instances of police brutality.

What initially began as anger expressed on TikTok over a controversial finance bill transformed
into a revolution. Equipped with their smartphones, protesters utilised live streams to document
intense confrontations with law enforcement.
Unlike protests led by politicians, the movement known as 'RejectFinanceBill' was coordinated
and mobilised exclusively through social media. It lacked a specific leader and was driven solely
by the protesters and the power of social media.
"We are the voice of Generation Z. We have successfully mobilised ourselves, utilising
platforms such as TikTok and X to educate and garner support," stated protester Zaha Indimuli.
Hashtags like "#RejectFinanceBill" and "#OccupyParliament" were employed to pressure
members of parliament and rally fellow protesters.
"This is my first demonstration, and I hope it will be my last. I genuinely desire significant
change to occur following this protest," expressed Naserian Kasura to journalists.
TikTok and X were not just tools for coordination but also served as digital battlefields where
voices demanded accountability.
"I refuse to cooperate or go quietly. Why are you arresting me?" challenged a protester in a viral
video as he resisted boarding a police vehicle.
Apart from using social media as a mobilising tool, Generation Z also leveraged platforms like
X, TikTok, and Instagram to unmask police brutality witnessed during the protests.
During the anti-Finance Bill protests, police were captured brutally firing at peaceful
demonstrators, throwing tear gas, and, in some cases, killing protesters in various towns.
The violence began with a police officer who ended the life of activist Rex Maasai on the first
day of the protests in Nairobi. On X, Generation Z circulated videos and photos of the officer,
identified as being attached to Kamukunji police station. He was caught on camera releasing tear
gas at peaceful protesters, journalists, and human rights activists.
In several videos, police were captured brutally mishandling protesters. In one video from the
first day of the protests, an officer was seen launching a tear gas canister at journalists and
protesters, injuring a freelance journalist in the stomach, before getting into a police van.

On Thursday, during the protests, the same officer, dressed in a black cape, blue shirt, and grey
pants, was filmed aiming directly at peaceful protesters at close range before entering the police
van. This became his method of dealing with the protests.
Another officer was captured flogging a protester. With rage evident on his face, he was seen
mercilessly beating a protester who was only carrying a bottle of water and a Kenyan flag. When
he realised the cameras were on him, he concealed his face.
The identification of these officers was used again on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, during the
Occupy Parliament demonstrations. A protester took a photo of a sniper atop the Parliament
building, firing gunshots that killed several protesters entering the Parliament.
Dressed in a black cape and mask, the sniper's photo was shared on social media, with
Generation Z calling on the Law Society of Kenya and the Independent Policing Oversight
Authority (IPOA) to take action.
According to the Police Service Act 2011, “an officer must always use non-violent means first,
resorting to lethal force only when necessary and when non-violent means have proven
ineffective. Firearms or lethal force may only be used in self-defense or to protect others' lives.”
Article 37 of the Constitution of Kenya states that everyone has a right to picket and present
petitions to public authorities, provided they do so peacefully.
In an interview, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president, Faith Odhiambo, condemned police
brutality and illegal arrests.
She stated, “The police officers who were captured aiming at the protesters, and whose photos
have been shared widely on social media, will face legal action.”
Association of the human rights organizations in Kenya and the youth have condemned the
killings and brutalities by the Kenyan police officers, “no Kenyan should lose their lives
fulfilling their constitutional rights. We urge the government to comply with all existing court
orders and release all protests abducted and/or unlawfully detained by the security urgencies.”
Due to the absence of clear leadership, law enforcement and the government had difficulty
identifying the key figures behind these protests. The march was prohibited on a technicality,
despite the protesters' claims that they had fulfilled all requirements.

Unlike previous political protests led by figures such as Raila Odinga and Martha Karua in 2023,
which focused on advocating for reduced living expenses, these demonstrations by Generation Z
individuals did not reference political affiliations or ethnic alignments.
The protesters simply wanted their voices heard. These protests had significant political
implications that extended beyond economic concerns. The youth population, once unwavering
supporters of President William Ruto, now expressed disillusionment with his policies, casting
doubt upon his influence.
Political analysts suggested that these demonstrations had the potential to reshape Kenya's
political landscape, highlighting the growing influence of youth-driven movements that demand
accountable governance and policy reforms.
"Protest politics has found a new focal point, and a new, distinct generation of Kenyans has
found a powerful voice," commented veteran journalist Mutuma Mathiu. "This demonstration
has completely changed the dynamics of Kenyan politics," he added.
"The most dangerous thing a government can do is to declare war on its youth," said Prof.
Kivutha Kibwana, a law scholar and former county governor. In a post on X, he emphasised the
need for dialogue.
Grassroots activism served as a reminder that leaders must be held accountable and advocated
for meaningful changes in leadership. Each step taken by activists represented a generation that
refused to be deceived by political maneuvers and demanded a future where leaders fulfilled
their promises and brought sustainable progress to citizens.
The protests led by Gen Z against Kenya's finance bill of 2024 had a profound impact on the
socio-economic dynamics of the country. These protests not only highlighted the struggling
economy and broken promises but also demonstrated the determination of a generation that
longed for a more just future. As these protests continued to gain momentum, the political fate of
President William Ruto and the broader democratic evolution of Kenya remained uncertain but
undeniably significant.

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