Njuki Githethwa is an activist and a writer based in Nairobi, and writes for Elitsha in the original post – click here
As reported, the youth in Kenya are furious. On June 25, 2024, they stormed the National Assembly, setting part of it on fire, ransacking the building, and eating food meant for parliamentarians. They even took the golden mace, a symbol of parliamentary authority. MPs had to escape through secret tunnels. The youth also attacked the Supreme Court and the office of the Governor of Nairobi County, torching constituency offices and homes of some MPs who approved the Finance Bill 2024.
The unrest, called “7 Days of Rage,” peaked on June 25, dubbed “Super Tuesday.” The protests reflected the frustrations of a population impoverished by the wealthy and foreign interests. Gen Z led the resistance both on the streets and online. Reports by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) indicate that at least 39 people were killed and hundreds injured, with many protesters arrested or disappeared.
The roots of the uprising lie in deep inequalities. Kenya has seen a growing gap between the rich and poor since its independence from British colonial rule in 1963. Successive governments, including President Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza (KK) coalition, have followed neoliberal economic policies, exacerbating poverty and inequality. Ruto, who campaigned as a champion of the underprivileged, has failed to deliver on his promises, with the cost of living soaring and essential services becoming unaffordable.
The Finance Bill 2024 proposed new taxes on essential goods, services, and digital content, which sparked widespread rejection. The youth, most affected by these measures, mobilized both online and offline, using the hashtag #RejectFinanceBill2024 to galvanize support. They saw the bill as an attack on their already precarious livelihoods.
The protests succeeded in forcing President Ruto to drop the Finance Bill, marking a significant victory for the youth. This uprising has weakened the state, opening the door for potential leadership by various leftist political parties and movements, such as the Communist Party of Kenya and the Revolutionary Socialist League. The youth have ignited a fire for social justice that could reshape Kenya’s future.
