Tuesday, June 18th 2024, was an important day for Kenya as it demonstrated (to Kenyans themselves, our leaders and the world) that young people are woke and beyond ready to demand for government transparency, accountability and public consultation. Kenya’s young people are often labeled ‘dumb’, indifferent and selfish.We, Gen Zers, are spoken of as passive recipients of important decisions. But it appears as though the #FinanceBill2024 by the government struck a nerve, and young people have promptly been responding.
I was among the hundreds of Kenyans spiritedly protesting against the #FinanceBill2024, which was tabled before Parliament yesterday. The Bill proposes oppressive tax hikes that will make living in Kenya incredibly difficult! Already, the Country is facing high costs of living, high unemployment rates, unfavorable business environment, poor wages and a rapidly widening gap between the rich and the poor. The most affected are the youth (Millennials and gen Zers), who make up about 55% of the country’s demographic.
Through the protests (that are now being organised in other major towns and cities across Kenya), citizens are using their voice to pressure their members of parliament to reject the punitive Finance Bill 2024, and to remind them that they represent the interests of Citizens, not the Executive.
The plan was to peacefully march in Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) and then congregate outside parliament building for a sit-down as our representatives considered the Bill. The relevant Authorities had been duly notified of the protests, but on the morning of, the Nairobi Police Commander Adamson Bungei said that no group had been granted permission to protest in the capital. Essentially, he gave the police the go-ahead to interfere with the protests.
Are All Young People Millennials?
Nonetheless, we showed up dressed in black, prepared with placards, whistles, water and an eagerness to make our voices heard. As anticipated, we were disrupted by the police, who went to great lengths to prevent us from getting anywhere close to parliament buildings. Their tactics involved dispersing small crowds, arresting young people dressed in black, hurling teargas canisters at demonstrators, using water cannons, firing rubber bullets and even using live bullets. We thank God there were minimal injuries sustained on the protesters side. A misguided policeman managed to severely injure himself and disable his arms after somehow, the teargas canister exploded as he was trying to launch it. That aside, more than 200 non-violent Kenyans were arrested (update: almost all were released within 48hrs of their arrest).
The Conviction of the Underestimated Gen Zers.
I want to register my happiness and pride for being a Gen Z in Kenya right now. We have been misperceived as entitled, impatient and shallow in our engagement with social and political issues. Yet, our voices have been loudest on this matter, both online and offline. We have been at the forefront of educating citizens about the provisions and impact of the finance bill on our everyday lives. We have broken down the bill into relatable content and urged each other to use our voices to express ourselves on the matter.
Reflecting on my participation in protests (this being my second), I am immediately struck by several important observations:
a). A protest owned by the people. In my experience, the protests I have seen happening in Kenya tend to have political influence in one form or another. However, the #RejectFinanceBill2024/#OccupyParliament protests did not have a face, they had hundreds of ordinary people’s faces. If you wanted, you could not pin them to an organiser.
I was most inspired to see that citizens used their own resources to show up. There were no incentives offered by anyone. No transport reimbursements, no tokens of appreciation. I reckon that the only reason why these people were on the streets is because firstly they are hurting, and secondly they have a strong sense that the pain they are going through is a result of poor bad governance. They have reached the point of ‘wait a minute, I have a voice over this.’
For me, this signifies deep interest and conviction by young Kenyans to participate in governance and carry out their civic duties independent of political agendas.
b). A protest by Gen Zers. The often ignored Gen Zers and late Millenials, from all social classes including the so called unbothered middle class, have all been out voicing their opinions on the Finance Bill online and offline. Even social media influencers and content creators who normally do not talk about social issues because of various limitations are vocal on the issue.
I could feel that this protest meant something more than a demonstration. It was young people taking up space and owning it. It was demanding to sit at the table of decisions as important stakeholders. Importantly, it was us releasing ‘wait a minute, we are citizens of this country and we have power over what happens in it.’
c). A peaceful protest. Despite the disruption by the police, the protesters maintained peace and even created some content! No stone was thrown, no business was looted, no property was destroyed. The only weapons we brandished were phones to document the experience and to call on others to turn up too.
d). A different kind of protest. I saw graphic designers creating demo messages and merchandise, and printers offering their services for free. Businesses were distributing water, sodas, juices and energy drinks to protesters for free. Others provided shelter for the demonstrators. I saw lawyers showing up at the police station to advocate for the release of those arrested. I saw Kenyans collectively contributing money to pay for bonds of those arrested. I have read of employers who allowed their employees to take time off to exercise their civic duties. By all standards, this was a unique protest that united Kenyans from all sectors.
Online Protests Are Protests Too
The bigger protest has been happening online. Just a cursory search on the hashtag #RejectFinanceBill and #OccupyParliament will show you just how many Kenyans have been engaged on the issue, from all parts of the County. I reckon that it is social media that is getting people to the streets. Unlike before when people relied on traditional media (which was often interfered with by the government), social media is like enabling individuals to make and air their own news. Crucially, it allows citizens to:
a). Amplify their voices: Whether you are from Nairobi or the remotest corners of this Country, social media gives you bigger visibility to interact with and respond to issues. Movements like #BlackLivesMatter in the United States and #EndSARS in Nigeria showcase how social media can bring attention to critical social issues. These hashtags create virtual communities of individuals who share experiences, information, and calls to action. For instance, #EndSARS was instrumental in drawing global attention to police brutality in Nigeria, leading to widespread protests and eventual government action to disband the SARS unit.
Additionally, social media allows individuals to share personal stories that can humanize social issues. The Finance Bill in itself is a heavy read. Only the people who prepared it, analysts and highly educated people can understand it. For Kenyans to take to it the way they have, it had to be broken down into specific, everyday life examples. It had to relate to my life. When I understand, they share with someone else, who then shares with someone else, and the chain continues.
b). Organise and mobilise better: Examples abound! Take the most popular one, the Arab Spring. Facebook, Twitter and Telegram were used to organize protests, share information about rallies, and mobilize large groups of people quickly. This led to significant political changes in several countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
I am happy to be a young person in Kenya right now. I am thrilled to be a Gen Z. I feel that with consistency and continued civic education, we will shape Kenya’s future into one where leaders are accountable and the government is responsive to our needs.
While you are at it, enjoy some #RejectFinanceBill2024 tunes:
- https://x.com/triomioofficial/status/1803530772273418711
- https://x.com/DexxieDexxy/status/1803473788618559944/video/1
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