image credit kenya tiktok

Previous administrations failed to unify millions of Kenyans across ethnicity and party as President William Ruto has.
On Tuesday, hundreds of trainer-wearing activists blocked down Nairobi’s business district, claiming Kenyans were overtaxed and got little in return.
They live-streamed heated police interactions on iPhones.

Instead of politician-led marches, “occupy parliament” was organized on social media.
Protesters donned tattered jeans and stylish hairstyles despite organizers’ urging to wear black.
Generation Z protesters—born in the late 1990s and early 2000s—turned out in significant numbers, threatening to continue their anger beyond a tweet or meme.
Gen Z mobilized. TikTok helps us teach kids why they protest, activist Zaha Indimuli told journalists.
Several first-time demonstrators held “Do Not Force The Taxes On Us” placards and shouted “Ruto must go”.

Police barred parliament-approaching protesters with tear gas and water cannon.
MPs were pressurized and protesters used “#OccupyParliament” and “#RejectFinanceBill2024”.
My first presentation. I hope this is last. Naserian Kasura opposed sanitary pad taxes and hoped for change.
Police used water cannon to stop protesters from reaching parliament.
“We were arrested, but don’t let them get to you. Proceed to parliament,” Hanifa Farsafi stated on X, formerly Twitter.
Attorneys attended police stations to liberate many of the 200+ teen protesters imprisoned.
“I am not going, I am not co-operating, why are you arresting me?” one protester screamed in a viral video as she refused to board a police vehicle.
Reuters Nairobi protestors in police vehicle, 18 June 2024Reuters
Tuesday’s march witnessed over 200 arrests.
Social media messages, images, and videos from non-participants promote awareness.
Since the gathering had no leader, police had problems targeting its organizers. Demonstrators felt all conditions were met, but a technicality prevented the march.
It did not include looting, property destruction, or stone-throwing like previous political anti-government riots.
Protesters wanted to be heard, not ethnic or political.
After hours of demonstrations, the president seemed to capitulate and withdrew numerous contentious bill provisions, including a 16% VAT on bread.
“We have listened to Kenyans,” parliament’s finance committee chairman Kuria Kimani told President Ruto and coalition MPs at a press event.
Mr. Kimani said budget legislation adjustments were needed to protect Kenyans from growing living expenses.
The government defended the tax hikes, projected to raise $2.7bn (£2.1bn), as essential to cut foreign borrowing.
Other levies on cooking oil, mobile money, and motor vehicles, which opponents said would damage insurance, were deleted.
After discussion, MPs will vote on the revised bill next Tuesday.
The opposition, which did not protest, wants the whole provision abolished as “punitive”.
EPA Nairobi protestors wave banners.EPA
TikTok advised kids to contact their MPs about prospective charges.
Campaigners are using “#unfollowRuto” to persuade people to quit following the president on X to halt the bill.
They will protest in Nairobi and other places until the law is abolished.
Two weeks before, presidential adviser David Ndii harshly rejected TikTok, but Tuesday’s strength convinced him.
Kenyan influencers helped TikTokers create video explainers that trended for days on WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and X after the draft legislation was revealed.
The social media “SMS your MP” list of MPs’ phone numbers has captured their attention.
MP Stephen Mule told local media that over 30,000 young Kenyans texted him to reject the plan. Other MPs said text congestion rendered their phones inoperable.
Local media have reported internet demonstrations and cost-of-living issues.
Some encouraged longstanding anti-government protester Raila Odinga to boycott Tuesday’s march.
Social media post: “Happy fatherhood! Congratulations to everybody who bravely protected their rights!”