Armed with placards, Printed t-shirts, and chanting messages against Finance Bill 2024,the protesters brought the Nairobi city to a standstill.Tuesday, 18 June 2024, was a turning point in the Kenya political landscape as thousands of Kenyans, mainly the youth, took to the streets of Nairobi protesting against the 2024 Finance Bill. On Thursday 20 July and Friday 21 July same protest were witnessed in various major towns countrywide.
While thousands were on the streets, thousands of others were using social media platforms, specifically X(formerly Twitter), to pile pressure on their legislators to reject the Bill.
Features of Demonstration that Made it Successful and Popular.
1.Peaceful
Previous demonstrations were characterized by violent scenes like throwing of stones, robbery, burning of tyres, blocking of roads and vandalism. Unfortunately ,the anti-Finance Bill protest was largely peaceful.No reports of destruction of property, vandalism, looting, or protesters hurling stones at the police.The protesters marched peacefully until the police showed up and started throwing tear gas canisters at them. Even still, the protesters didn't retaliate.Unfortunately, one police officer got his both hands brown off by bursting tear gas canisters. One known protest by name Rex got killed ,with a few securing minor injuries.
2. It was people-Centered
The protest was not organized nor sponsored by politicians or any political outfit it was people-centered; concerned young Kenyans rallied on social media and came together to express their grievances regarding the 2024 Finance Bill in a bold and conspicuously manner.
3.Social Media Platforms in use.
Social media platforms such as X and pushed hashtags such as "#RejectFinanceBill2024", where they reached out to different MPs and stakeholders, urging them to reject the Bill.After the voting was done yesterday in parliament, list of members was circulating in social media showing members who stood with protesters and those who passed the bill.
Some Kenyans shared personal phone numbers of Member of Parliaments and asked Kenyans to call and send them messages urging them to reject the Bill.IPOA has now taken action after shooting of Rex during Anti-Finance Bill demos in Nairobi and is demanding for justice.This protests has bored some fruits as some of the contentious clauses on the Bill were removed, but still, their rallying call was "Reject Not Amend" as they sought for the entire Bill to be thrown out.
4. Demos Cut Across the Country
Unlike previous demos, mainly in areas perceived to be opposition strongholds, this protest has cut across both opposition and the ruling party's strongholds.
Several serving leaders in the government came out and confirmed that they had received thousands of messages from their constituencies and Kenyans warning them against supporting the Bill.
This strategy was working very well as some Members of Parliament, such as Felix Odiwuor who appeared to be initially supporting the bill, made a U-turn and opposed it. This comes as a result of immense pressure from his area residents.
5.Popular Digital Content Creators and Social Celebrities were Brought Onboard.
Previous protests were always associated with ordinary Kenyans, mostly the unemployed and those living in the slums. However, the anti-Finance Bill protest featured everyone on board, including renowned celebrities in Kenya who were pressurized from social media platforms.
The youth have demonstrated that power indeed belongs to the people as the conversation has shifted, and some of the results can be seen as a consequence of their protests. When young citizens loose fear, those in government loose power. If this revolution will continue with same energy, then 2027 general elections will send home several leaders and bring into power a new picture of reasoning leaders who care for voters say and way.