Kenya passes controversial bill two years after deadly Gen Z protests
Kenya’s parliament has passed a controversial bill, two years after youth-led protests against a previous piece of legislation descended into deadly violence that left dozens dead and forced a dramatic U-turn by the government.
The vote in the National Assembly marks a politically sensitive moment for President William Ruto’s administration, which has struggled to rebuild public trust since the 2024 Gen Z-led uprising. The earlier wave of demonstrations, sparked by opposition to a sweeping finance bill that proposed new and expanded taxes, became one of the most serious challenges to the Kenyan government in recent memory.
Echoes of the 2024 protests
In June 2024, thousands of young Kenyans, many identifying with the Gen Z movement, took to the streets of Nairobi and other towns to denounce the finance bill as punitive to ordinary citizens already struggling with a high cost of living. The protests escalated rapidly after security forces used live ammunition and tear gas to disperse crowds. Demonstrators briefly stormed parts of parliament, in scenes that shocked the nation and drew international attention.
Human rights groups and civil society organizations subsequently documented significant casualties and alleged abuses by police. The crisis prompted the government to withdraw the finance bill and reshuffle parts of the cabinet, but the underlying grievances over taxation, unemployment, and governance remained.
A sensitive legislative moment
The passage of the new bill has reignited concerns among opposition figures, civil society, and segments of the public that the administration may be pushing through legislation without sufficient consultation. Lawmakers aligned with the ruling coalition have defended the measure as necessary for economic management or institutional reform, while critics argue it risks repeating the patterns of opacity and top-down policymaking that fuelled the earlier unrest.
Analysts say the legislative outcome will be closely watched by Kenya’s youth, many of whom remain politically engaged two years after the protests first put them at the center of national debate. Activists have urged calm but warned that any perception of state overreach could mobilize renewed street demonstrations.
Looking ahead
Kenya’s political class faces the challenge of addressing the structural frustrations that powered the 2024 movement while also delivering on governance and economic reforms. The coming days are likely to bring further debate in the Senate, possible legal challenges, and continued scrutiny from international partners and rights organizations. For many young Kenyans, the bill’s passage will be a test of whether their voices have translated into lasting change or whether the political establishment has reverted to familiar patterns.
Source: Al Jazeera — read the original report.
