Kenya Protests Turn Deadly, Finance Bill Signed Amidst Public Outcry

Nationwide demonstrations against Kenya’s 2025 Finance Bill turned violent Wednesday. A security guard, Fred Wamale Wanyonyi, was fatally shot at Kenya Power’s Stima Plaza during the protests.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reports at least eight protest related deaths across six counties. Over 400 casualties, including civilians, police, and journalists, are recorded. KNCHR also noted criminal elements infiltrating demonstrations, leading to violence and property destruction.

[caption id=“attachment_32496” align=“alignnone” width=“1024”] A protester in Nairobi jumps for safety as she emerges from a narrow alley.Credit…Luis Tato/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images[/caption]

Meanwhile, President William Ruto signed the 2025 Finance Bill into law Thursday morning. The Ksh. 4.2 trillion budget aims to raise Ksh. 30 billion in extra revenues. A contentious clause, granting the Kenya Revenue Authority access to taxpayer data, was removed by lawmakers before passage.

President Ruto also approved the 2025 Appropriation Bill, allowing the Treasury to withdraw Ksh. 1.88 trillion for the upcoming financial year.

Background and Causes of Protests

These ongoing protests are fueled by a confluence of factors, primarily public dissatisfaction with rising living costs, government fiscal policies, and perceived corruption. The 2025 Finance Bill, despite avoiding new taxes, contained provisions that could indirectly increase prices on essential goods. This follows last year’s highly contentious 2024 Finance Bill, which proposed significant tax hikes on items like bread, mobile money transfers, and even an “eco-levy” on products like diapers and sanitary pads, triggering widespread protests then.

A major driver of the current unrest is also deep-seated anger over alleged police brutality and a perceived lack of accountability for deaths and injuries sustained during previous demonstrations. Many Kenyans, particularly the youth, feel burdened by existing taxes, including a housing levy and a new health insurance tax, and view government spending as lavish amidst their economic struggles. The protests are largely youth-led, organized effectively through social media, and reflect a growing “Gen Z” political awakening against economic hardship and governance issues. There’s also a perception that the government is prioritizing international financial institution demands, like those from the IMF for debt restructuring, over the welfare of its citizens.

[caption id=“attachment_32497” align=“alignnone” width=“1024”] Protesters in downtown Nairobi on Wednesday.Credit…Luis Tato/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images[/caption]

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