Kenya erupts in protest, tens of thousands rally against controversial finance law

In a historic show of public dissent, tens of thousands of Kenyans took to the streets on Thursday to protest the 2024 finance law, which introduces new taxes on basic products.

The mass mobilization, spearheaded by the “Occupy Parliament” movement, saw demonstrators flood the main cities of the country in a united front against the government’s fiscal policies.

The initial wave of protesters faced violent repression from Kenyan police forces, with reports of clashes and arrests. Despite this, the movement’s resolve only strengthened. Organized largely through social media by a digitally-savvy and impassioned generation known as Gen Z, the protesters continued to rally, determined to make their voices heard.

This large-scale protest underscores the growing discontent among Kenyans regarding economic policies perceived to burden the average citizen.

The widespread participation and resilience of the demonstrators highlight a significant moment in the nation’s history, as citizens demand a reconsideration of the finance law’s impact on everyday life.