The murmurs of discontent began softly, like the distant rumbling of a storm. By June 18, 2024, this murmur had grown into a deafening roar across Kenya. This roar had previously begun in Mathare when the government carried out unlawful demolitions against marginalized communities which had been affected by floods again.. The murmur was #OccupyKenya. The proposed Finance Bill 2024-2025 by President William Ruto’s government was the spark that ignited this revolutionary fire. The bill was perceived as an attack on the economic well-being of ordinary Kenyans, proposing severe tax hikes on essential goods and services. For a population already grappling with high cost of living and economic hardships, this was the last time we were going to stand by and watch ourselves cornered by the oppressors.
Kenyan youth, particularly Gen Zs, were quick to mobilize and take lead. Social media platforms buzzed with outrage as the hashtag #RejectFinanceBill2024 and #OccupyParliament began to trend. This was not just a call to action, it was a rallying cry for a generation weary of economic oppression and negligence by the government. We were tired of being mere pawns in a game controlled by the political elite and international financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank have long been seen as western tools of economic domination, imposing policies that benefit a selected few at the expense of many. In 2024, the IMF has already approved an additional Ksh. 130 billion of loans to Kenya, further entrenching the country into debt and economic dependency. These institutions have dictated to the ruling elite the enforcement of austerity measures and tax hikes which, adversely and to a disproportionately bigger degree, affect the poor. The enforcement of these policies have been done under the pretext of economic stability.
It all began in Nairobi on June 18, 2024. The weather was moderate , bringing to me feelings that something revolutionary was about to happen. Activist Boniface Mwangi had previously released a video that called upon Kenyans to Occupy Parliament; members of parliament were to meet on the day the sit in was scheduled to debate the Finance Bill 2024.Hundreds of protesters gathered in Nairobi CBD, demanding the bills rejection and the resignation of President William Ruto. The protest tagged #OccupyParliament saw a large turnout of young people, driven by a shared sense of injustice and a desire for change. The chants “Ruto Must Go” ,“Reject!Reject!Reject!” and “Bunge!Bunge!Bunge!” echoed through the air.
The protest was peaceful but powerful, a clear message to the government that we the youth would not watch idly while our future was compromised. Social media was aflame with live updates, images, and videos of the protest, drawing national and international attention. The government’s response was malicious and very brutal. Riot police were deployed to disperse the large crowds in various sections in Nairobi city, and other towns in the country using tear gas, water cannons and even live bullets. Despite the violent crackdown, the protesters remained resolute. Social media was flooded with images and videos of the clashes, with many questioning the government’s heavy handed response to peaceful demonstrations. The brutality only served to strengthen our resolve, igniting a fire that would soon spread across the country. It was also sad that on that day we lost a soldier who was still a student. Rex Masai, his name, was shot dead in cold blood by a police officer for being a concerned citizen.
The revolutionary fire that was ignited in Nairobi quickly spread to Mombasa. On June 19, 2024, hundreds of protesters marched in the city streets, voicing their anger and frustrations against the proposed Finance Bill. The demonstrations in Mombasa set the tone for what was to become a nationwide movement. The protesters in Mombasa were diverse, comprising students, young professionals, and even older citizens who could no longer bear the economic burden placed on them by the Kenya Kwanza (KK) administration. The placards carried slogans like “Ruto Must Go” and “Reject the Finance Bill 2024.” The peaceful but powerful demonstration sent a clear message to the government that the people of Mombasa also would not stand by impotently while their future was being compromised. The protest in Mombasa was a catalyst, inspiring other regions to rise up and join the Occupy movement.
On June 20, 2024, the streets of Kenya’s major cities were filled with the chants of tens of thousands of young protesters. The movement had gained unstoppable momentum, spreading to counties including Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Thika, and so forth. The protesters were united by a shared sense of purpose and a determination to effect change. In Nairobi, where I do my organizing as an artivist, the city center was teeming with young people holding banners and chanting slogans demanding the repeal of the Finance Bill and the resignation of President Ruto. The energy was electric, the air was thick with a sense of unity and purpose. In Kisumu, the atmosphere was similarly charged. The protesters marched through the city’s streets, their voices echoing through the air, calling for justice and economic fairness. There were large turnouts in Nakuru, Eldoret, and Thika as well, with people from all walks of life coming together to demand change. Once again, the government’s response was, predictably, brutal. Riot police were deployed in all the major cities, and tear gas, water cannons and live bullets were used to disperse the crowds. Despite the violent crackdown, the youth remained undeterred. Social media was awash with images and videos of the clashes, drawing international attention and condemnation.
The government’s heavy handed tactics continued, with reports of police brutality and mass arrests flooding social media. Images of bloodied protesters and burning tires circulated widely, further fueling the outrage. In Nairobi, the situation took a dramatic turn on June 25, 2024, when protesters managed to occupy and set fire to one side of the parliament building. This act of defiance was a clear indication that we the youth were willing to take drastic measures to make our voices heard. The government’s response was even more brutal, with security forces using live ammunition to disperse the crowds and snipers positioned on the rooftop of a building within parliament’s precincts doing the same.. A total of 15 youths were gunned down at the parliament grounds. The violence and unrest was escalating, but so was the determination of the protesters. We were no longer fighting against a single bill, we were also fighting against a system that has consistently failed us. The protests had become a broader struggle for justice, democracy, and economic fairness.
The violence reached a horrific peak on the evening of June 25th when the protesters were coming out of town. The police went on a rampage in Githurai, a residential area situated on the outskirts of Nairobi city, until midday of the following day. Adding fuel to the fire, President Ruto’s administration has unconstitutionally deployed 600 Kenyan police to Haiti. The government is Is planning to send a total of 1,000 officers to Haiti despite ongoing legal challenges. Personally, I think this move should widely be seen as an attempt to curry favor with imperialist powers at the cost of national sovereignty. Kenyans should see this as a betrayal by a government more concerned with appeasing foreign interests than serving its own people. The protests should intensify, ZAKAYO LAZIMA ASHUKE!
International solidarity has played a crucial role in sustaining these protests and amplifying the voices of the Kenyan people. Activists and many other Kenyans from around the world shared messages of support and organized demonstrations in their own countries outside Kenyan embassies. Global news outlets covered the events extensively, putting pressure on the Kenyan government to address the protesters’ demands. Even allies of president Ruto’s government could not help him this time. Most of them ended up issuing statements urging him to listen to the people’s demands. It was so inspiring that during the 7 days of courage, comrades from other countries would reach out and even give insights on how we could soldier on with the struggle. The United Nations issued a statement calling for an immediate end to the violence and urging the Kenyan government to respect the rights of its citizens. Human rights organizations condemned the government’s use of force against peaceful protesters.
In his press statements on June 25 and 26, President Ruto attempted to downplay the protests, labeling them as violent, treasonous and unjustified. He praised the police for their “restraint” and promised to address the economic concerns of the youth. However, these statements were met with skepticism and anger. I see Ruto’s words as empty promises from a leader who is out of touch who is more concerned with maintaining power than genuinely addressing the needs of the people. The president’s attempts to justify the Finance Bill and the violent crackdowns only serve to further alienate the public and fuel the revolutionary fervor. Social media has been abuzz with criticism of Ruto’s statements, with many pointing out the stark contrast between his words and the reality on the ground. This informed the mass action on 27th June that we participated in .
As the revolution continues, one thing is clear – the Kenyan people will no longer be silenced. The #RejectFinanceBill and #OccupyKenya movement is just the beginning of a broader struggle for freedom and democracy in this country. The call for President Ruto to step down is necessary for us to secure the future of our generation and generations to come. Imperialism must fall. The revolution happening in Kenya is a testament to the power of the people to stand up against oppression and to fight for their rights. The Gen Z generation has shown that they are not afraid to take on the establishment and to demand a better future for themselves and their country. The struggle is far from over, but the determination and resilience of the Kenyan people gives hope that real change is possible.
