The hallowed halls of Kenya's Parliament, traditionally a bustling arena of debate and legislation, recently bore witness to an unusual phenomenon: a conspicuous absence of Members of Parliament. This striking void was not due to a recess or an urgent national engagement abroad, but rather a palpable sense of apprehension. Reports indicate that a significant number of MPs strategically avoided parliamentary sittings, particularly during crucial deliberations on the contentious Finance Bill 2024, driven by a profound fear of "Gen Z riots" and the burgeoning wave of youth-led protests sweeping across the nation. This unprecedented situation underscores a dramatic shift in Kenya's political landscape, where a digitally savvy, economically frustrated, and fiercely vocal generation is reshaping the contours of civic engagement and accountability.
The genesis of this parliamentary trepidation lies in the powerful, decentralized, and often leaderless protests orchestrated by Kenya's Generation Z. Unlike past demonstrations, which were often seen through ethnic or political party lenses, these protests transcended traditional divides. Mobilizing primarily through social media platforms like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) with hashtags such as #RejectFinanceBill2024, young Kenyans leveraged digital fluency to educate, organize, and galvanize thousands onto the streets. Their grievances were not merely about the specifics of the Finance Bill 2024 but encompassed deeper frustrations over a high cost of living, rampant corruption, perceived governmental extravagance, and a profound lack of economic opportunities amidst soaring youth unemployment.
The Finance Bill 2024, initially presented as a necessary measure to increase government revenue and manage national debt (which stands at around 70% of GDP), proposed a raft of new and increased taxes. These included a 16% VAT on essential goods like bread, a new annual 2.5% tax on motor vehicles, increased excise duties on mobile money transfers, and an "Eco Levy" on imported products that critics argued would inflate the prices of necessities like diapers and sanitary pads. Despite government assertions that these measures were vital for economic development and to meet conditions for loans from international bodies like the IMF, young Kenyans widely perceived them as disproportionately burdening low and middle-income households.
The fear among MPs was not unfounded. The Gen Z-led protests were characterized by their sheer scale, spontaneity, and an unyielding determination that defied conventional political tactics. On particularly intense days, protestors did not merely picket; they breached the Parliament precincts, leading to unprecedented scenes of lawmakers reportedly scrambling for safety. This direct confrontation, unprecedented in recent memory, sent a stark message to the political elite: the traditional methods of managing public dissent were no longer effective against a digitally empowered and highly motivated youth.
The immediate legislative impact was profound. Faced with overwhelming public pressure, President William Ruto eventually conceded, rejecting the Finance Bill 2024 and sending it back to Parliament for amendments, and later, effectively withdrawing it. This marked a significant victory for the protestors, demonstrating the potent influence of collective action. However, the reluctance of many MPs to attend sittings underscored a broader disconnect and, perhaps, a fear of confronting the very constituents they represent when those constituents are unified and demanding accountability. The empty benches symbolized a retreat from public scrutiny, a stark contrast to the expected role of elected representatives in a thriving democracy.
The Gen Z protests have transcended their initial focus on the Finance Bill to become a broader repudiation of political culture. They have sparked a national conversation about the perceived disconnect between the lavish lifestyles of politicians and the struggles of ordinary Kenyans. This movement, often described as "tribeless" and "leaderless," has effectively challenged the established political order, demonstrating that young people are no longer politically apathetic but are actively seeking alternative, more effective modes of engagement with governance. They have utilized social media not just for mobilization but also as a platform for public education, fact-checking, and holding leaders accountable, sometimes even tracking government promises against actual results.
This unprecedented mobilization has forced a critical introspection within Kenya's political class. The immediate fallout included cabinet reshuffles and pledges to cut wasteful spending, signaling a recognition, albeit perhaps belated, of the depth of public discontent. The protests highlight a growing demand for transparency, accountability, and ethical governance, with calls extending to independent probes into alleged police brutality during demonstrations and audits of national debt.
In comparison to previous fiscal years, including the 2024/2025 budget, which aimed for economic recovery through tax reforms and fiscal consolidation (targeting a deficit reduction to 3.3% of GDP), the events surrounding the 2025 Finance Bill represent a more visceral manifestation of public pushback against perceived over-taxation and lack of accountability. While both budgets underscore the government's commitment to revenue mobilization and sustainable development under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the intense public reaction to the 2025 proposals reveals a critical gap in public trust and participation. The 2024/2025 budget saw tax increases and expansions of the tax base, but the proposed measures for 2025/2026, coupled with the KRA's desire for direct financial data access, hit a raw nerve, leading to a level of widespread, youth-led opposition that forced a legislative U-turn.
