Kenya’s Generation Z is rebelling against tax plans

These are troubled days in Kenya: youth across the country are taking to the streets against President Ruto and his economic policies. There are already early successes. But the struggles continue.

In Nairobi’s city centre, mostly young demonstrators chanted “Rudo must go”. The president, who will be elected in 2022, is particularly unpopular among young Kenyans.

Almost anyone who attended the demonstrations was over 30 years old and the majority were women, as women were surprised by Kenyan President William Ruto’s tax plans.

Protester Ashley Natasha explains: “I came here because the government wants to increase the tax on sanitary pads, but many people can’t afford them.” The 24-year-old says she stands in solidarity with all women and children.

High tax on foreign goods

The Kenyan government had earlier announced higher tariffs on goods imported from abroad. VAT can now be levied even on basic foods like bread, milk and flour. Income tax increases and social security contributions increase. Overall, the government expects an additional revenue of around 2.5 billion euros.

80 percent of Kenyans are 35 years old or younger, many of whom participate in protests. Generation Z is demanding Ruto’s resignation and a complete overhaul of what they say are his disastrous tax plans.

Especially the youth are protesting

For the first time in Kenya’s history, youths have taken to the streets across the country. In the coastal metropolis of Mombasa and even in tourist areas, youths carry barricades.

Another protester, Ziporrah Akinyi, explained that they primarily met X, previously through social media such as Twitter or Tiktok.: “Social media helps us to talk to everyone in Kenya and the world. This way they can support us and of course it helps us a lot.”

Strict police action

The smartphone generation is protesting against those who only know how to help themselves with tear gas. Because even though the protestors are peaceful – underpinning their slogan “we are peaceful”, the police are cracking down on them. They are constantly being chased through the city; It’s a cat and mouse game with the police.

Police fired dozens of teargas shells at the crowd. A police officer says behind closed doors that the aim is to intimidate demonstrators – spraying chemicals and tear gas with water cannons – but also with arrests. At least one demonstrator dies in the shooting and hundreds are injured and jailed.

Request for consideration of taxes

Two years ago, Rudo stood for change. He still enjoys international recognition, but he is under increasing domestic pressure. The young man’s rebellion represents a significant waning of his support.

The new taxes have also angered many of Ruto’s former voters. Due to high inflation in the East African country, the already small middle class has shrunk again. Many people still live in poverty in Kenya. Yet Rudo flies to the US on an expensive private jet for state travel, invites an ultra-conservative priest to pray in Kenya at state expense or shows up to meetings with a €60,000 watch.

This is absurd, says the protester Akini: “We feel the government is not listening to us. We elected them to work for our needs, but now they are oppressing us.” Many criticize the level of corruption in Kenya and want more transparency. In principle, paying taxes is good, but there has to be something in return. A protester held a placard saying, “Why tax in Sampur area? We have got only 45 kilometers of tarred roads since independence.”

Demonstrations also affect the government as it takes a step towards citizens. Initially there should be no new taxes on bread and cooking oil. Yet Kenya’s youth want to move on. They want to bring the entire country to a standstill with a week of raging protests. There should be activities everywhere in discos, churches and mosques.