During Tuesday’s Coffee Bar Session which was held at MuYI, we discussed the state of the nation. The devastating effects on many people especially the youth have caused loss of lives, destruction of property and infrastructure, as well as disruption of economic activities amongst many entrepreneurs in the CBD and most parts of the country.

The Kenya Finance Bill 2024 is a legislative proposal by the Kenyan government outlining changes to taxation, fees, and other financial regulations for the upcoming fiscal year. This bill is part of the government’s annual budget process and aims to generate revenue, regulate economic activities, and fund government operations and projects. Many Kenyans are in disagreement with Tax Proposals since there are changes in tax rates or structures that are seen as unfair to certain groups in the country.

Many youths argued that spending priorities on how funds are allocated such as increases and cuts to essential services and goods, its misplacement of priorities, and the leaders want to overtax the same people who elected them. Right now Gen Z are woke and are rising against the government who do not give an ear to their plea. The Bill has introduced many taxes and there is no major development for the past two years.

“Zakayo is a manipulator, liar and a one-term president si must amalize one term ndio atumalize!” one participant said.

Many youths have Concerns about the overall economic impact of the bill, such as increasing the deficit or harming economic growth, and lack of transparency with the process in which the bill was created since the public participation was done had insufficient debates and inputs from most people in the country. The total amount spent in FY 2023–2024 is Ksh 3.7 trillion. This development expenses are high and the capital expenditure outlay for 2024–2025 was revealed to have increased by 11.1%.

For the past two weeks, the demonstrations have had a wide range of impacts on both the people involved and the country as a whole. They have created awareness among the general public and the international community however it has also led to violence, death, injuries, and loss of property since the parliament building was attacked people stole things and many things were broken. Clashes between demonstrators and the police led to the death of several youths including the police

Many peaceful protesters are not happy since People were being arrested as early as 9 AM

“For any freedom to be achieved there has to be death and the small battles make people win the greatest battles!” one participant said.

The protest has been impactful since the previous votes have shown a difference since 204 MPs voted yes and 115 No whilst in the last process 196 MPs voted to pass the bill 105 voted against it and 3 MPs votes became spoilt.

The activists came in numbers to help demonstrators in many areas such as providing water, minor fast aiding and even ensuring that those arrested were released for free one participant mentioned that he could not believe that the police could arrest you but still set them free with no charges unlike the usual times when one has to give them money

The youths said that this is the last time they are swayed and fooled to vote for incompetent people and leaders who come to manipulate them into thinking other leaders are bad. Many leaders have deceived us through the church. The youths are against leaders who use the youths to loot and vandalize people’s property and will not allow leaders to use them again.