The youth-driven anti-tax protests that have rocked Kenya over the last two weeks of June seem to have been quelled, following President William Ruto’s decision to withdraw the contentious Finance Bill and initiate dialogue with the youth. This move has alleviated fears of a potential large-scale uprising.
In Nairobi, where the demonstrations began on June 18, the number of protesters dwindled on the final day of protests, compared to the chaotic scenes a week earlier when protesters stormed Parliament and set parts of it ablaze.
Reports of looting in various towns and cities further discredited the demonstrations, allowing the authorities to portray the movement as having been hijacked by malicious elements, thereby undermining its legitimacy.
President Ruto, attributing the opposition to the Finance Bill to communication failures, has recently attempted to counteract the negative public sentiment. Last Friday, he engaged in a three-hour conversation on X Space, a digital platform where the protests had been mobilized.
However, analysts suggest that the three weeks of unrest present a significant challenge for the Kenyan President. Ken Opalo, an Associate Professor at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, noted that unless Ruto bolsters his and his government’s legitimacy, he will struggle to implement fiscal consolidation and development plans due to diminished tax morale.
With the next elections only three years away, the emergence of the Gen Z movement as a political force will likely be a key consideration for Ruto. Traditionally overlooked due to widespread voter apathy, the youth demonstrated their political clout by compelling Ruto to retract the Finance Bill, suggesting their participation in the 2027 elections could increase significantly.
Beyond their numbers, the youth’s proficiency in digital technology poses a serious challenge to Kenya’s established political elite. Kenya boasts one of the highest mobile phone penetration rates in Africa, with 127 percent penetration as of March this year. The country’s high consumption of news on social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube allows digital activists to reach large audiences with ease.
