Kenya is on the verge of a nationwide strike on Tuesday, following calls from youth protesters for a complete shutdown of the country. These demonstrations, primarily led by Gen-Z activists, have taken President William Ruto’s government by surprise, prompting the President to express his willingness to engage with the protesters over the weekend.
The discontent stems from the already high cost of living, exacerbated by the Ruto administration’s proposed tax hikes outlined in the annual finance bill, which parliament is scheduled to vote on by June 30th. Last week, widespread rallies erupted across the nation, fueled by public outrage over the proposed tax increases. While the protests have mostly remained peaceful, as President Ruto acknowledged on Sunday, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and human rights organizations have reported two fatalities following Thursday’s demonstrations.
Protest organizers have demanded accountability from the police and are adamant in their calls for the complete scrapping of the finance bill. “We’re past the talking stage and won’t be silenced. We demand an end to police violence, respect for our constitutional rights, and the freedom to speak up without fear of arrest or harm,” stated Hanifa Adan to AFP on Sunday. Numerous organizations, including Amnesty International Kenya, have confirmed at least 200 injuries during the protests in Nairobi. “The country stands at a crossroads,” Amnesty’s Kenya chapter declared in a statement on Monday. “Despite mass arrests and injuries, the protests have continued to grow, emphasizing the public’s widespread discontent.” Amnesty further cautioned that the ongoing movement places the government and police at a “critical juncture, where the escalation of force could lead to more fatalities and legal repercussions.”
Human rights organizations have accused the authorities of abducting protesters in violation of the law. “These abductions are intended to intimidate protesters planning to attend future peaceful demonstrations aimed at pressuring MPs to reject the bill,” stated the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) on Monday. “These abductions, mostly occurring at night, are conducted by police officers in civilian clothes and unmarked cars,” KHRC added, demanding the “unconditional release of all abductees.” The police have not responded to AFP’s requests for comment regarding these allegations.
Beyond the strong social media campaign and street rallies, protesters have employed unconventional tactics, including urging bars to halt music at midnight on weekends. This has resulted in partygoers breaking into chants of “Ruto must go” and “Reject finance bill.” Additionally, small groups of Kenyans staged protests at several embassies abroad, including in Washington and Paris, as confirmed by television images, organizers, and social media. The protests have also garnered support from certain Anglican and Catholic church leaders. During Sunday mass, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops chairman, Archbishop Maurice Muhatia, urged the government to take the matter seriously, “and not be in denial”.
Faced with a dire financial situation, the government agreed last week to withdraw several of the proposed tax increases. However, President Ruto’s administration insists on implementing some tax increases, arguing that they are essential for replenishing state coffers and reducing reliance on external borrowing. Kenya is grappling with a significant debt burden, and the depreciation of the local currency over the past two years has inflated the cost of servicing foreign-currency loans. These tax hikes will further strain Kenyans, with many young people struggling to secure well-paying jobs.
Following the government’s decision to scrap levies on bread purchases, car ownership, and financial and mobile services, the treasury issued a warning of a 200 billion shilling ($1.56 billion) budget shortfall. The government now intends to target an increase in fuel prices and export taxes to compensate for the lost revenue, a move that critics condemn as exacerbating the cost of living in a country already grappling with high inflation. While Kenya boasts one of the most dynamic economies in East Africa, a staggering third of its 52 million population lives in poverty.
