Anniversary: What Kenya Learned from Gen Z’s Finance Bill Protests 1 Year Later
- President William Ruto treated as common the events at the start of June, 2024, when the Kenyan youth mobilised themselves via social media to advance a revolutionary cause
- They were protesting the Finance Bill 2024, which would have legalised high taxation; the bill was passed in parliament and was on its way to becoming law
- Aggrieved, the citizenry vowed to continue with its anti-government activism until its demands were met; Ruto then started conceding to the pressure
Nairobi - One year after Kenya’s Gen Z-led uprising against the controversial 2024 Finance Bill, the nation continues to reckon with the ripple effects of what has become one of the most consequential protest movements in recent memory.
Source: Getty Images
Sparked by economic frustration, rising unemployment, and allegations of poor governance, the youth-led demonstrations reshaped the political narrative, highlighting both the promise and pitfalls of protest as a tool for change.
The wins; how Gen Zs' pressure forced shift in status quo
The most notable outcome of the protests was the government’s decision to withdraw the 2024/2025 Finance Bill, a move widely viewed as a direct concession to public pressure.
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The protests, largely organised via social media and led by digitally savvy youth, signalled a new era of activism that caught both the government and traditional opposition flat-footed.
“Public outrage pushed the government to the negotiation table,” notes the scorecard compiled for the protests’ first anniversary. “For once, youth were not just trending online — they were shaping policy.”
The unrest also forced a rare increase in dialogue between government and civil society actors.
Engagement programmes, particularly around youth empowerment and digital inclusion, have since received more visibility.
Perhaps most significantly, the protests shifted Kenya’s national discourse.
Conversations around the cost of living, youth unemployment, taxation, and police accountability surged to the forefront, replacing traditional political divides with issue-based mobilisation.
The Costs: Rage Without Structure
But the gains came at a high price.
According to the Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNHRC), the protests led to 69 deaths, 32 enforced disappearances, and over 600 arrests, most involving young demonstrators.
The National Police Service reported widespread criminal infiltration, with over 270 individuals allegedly masquerading as protestors to loot and vandalise property.
In cities like Nairobi and Kisumu, economic disruptions were severe. Transport, tourism, and trade came to a near standstill, and investor confidence took a hit.
The World Bank warned that prolonged instability could threaten Kenya’s projected growth rate of 5.3% by 2026.
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Meanwhile, sensational media coverage of violent scenes often overshadowed the core issues, amplifying fear and pushing away moderate citizens who may have otherwise supported the cause.
“Rage without structure alienated more people than it mobilised,” the report notes.
A Movement at a Crossroads
Despite their energy and influence, the Gen Z protests were also marked by a lack of formal leadership.
The decentralised model allowed for organic growth, but as the movement wore on, its absence of strategy and coordination became apparent.
The result: short-term wins, but no lasting institutional reforms. Many of the youth-driven demands remain unmet, and parliamentary action on their concerns has been slow and inconsistent.
“Rage opened the doors, but without follow-through, it risks becoming just another wave in Kenya’s protest history,” analysts warn.
As the country marks the anniversary of the June 25 protests, the big questions now are: Can Gen Z transform its outrage into sustainable political power? Will Kenya find a way to balance protest rights with national order?
The report concludes with a challenge to the youth and the state alike:
“The next chapter depends not just on raising flags and fists, but on raising voices with vision. Rage must evolve into a roadmap.”
If the 2024 protests taught Kenya anything, it’s this: when the youth move, the country shifts.
But for lasting change, energy must be matched by direction, and defiance by design.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
