Youth protesting against finance bill 2024. Photo/courtesy.
The ongoing anti-government protests originates from the regimes negligence of public grievances. A series of duplicitous events within as span of less than two years stirred public anger resulting in a deadly anti-finance bill 2024 demonstration than has claimed lives of many Kenyans and destruction of properties worth billions of shillings.
Fake fertiliser scandal
In March 2024, Africa Uncensored exposed a chilling fertiliser scandal which saw government officials hoodwinking farmers to purchasing diatomite packaged as fertilizers under subsidized fertilizer program. The scheme revealed how officials at National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) colluded with businessmen to commit an economic crime.
About 100,000 bags of fake fertiliser were distributed to farmers across the country with many of them claiming that they counted losses due to low yields.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi found himself in hot soup as MPs voted to remove him from office. A total of 149 MPs voted to impeach Linturi but the 11-member committed tasked to investigate Linturi’s alleged ivolvement in the scandal cleared him of any wrongdoing.
The decision to keep Linturi in office amid disquiet among farmers became one of the recipes for anti-finance bill protests.
Among the demands by GenZs includes the removal of Linturi. This saw protester demanding accountability and ouster of corrupt government officials, with some of them carrying placards with words like “System ya majambazi” (system of robbers) reffering to corrupt government officials.
International Monetary Fund
IMF surfaced in the demonstration as members of the public especially GenZs pointing an accusing finger to it on it’s involvement in formulation of tax policies that would have exacerbated the economic problems in Kenya.
Human Rights Watch accused IMF for backing several punitive taxes which it claims that it is impoverishing Kenyans. These taxes including increment of Value Added Tax (VAT), fuel and electricity price hikes.
IMF is pushing member countries to adopt certain tax policies in order to meet its tax obligations and debt deficits. However, in the wake anti-finance bill protests, Kenyans took to social media to accuse IMF for grippling Kenya’s economy with punitive tax proposals. Some youths used hashtags like #RejectIMF to display their frustrations.
Corruption and embezzlement of public funds
Since independence, corruption has been the biggest hindrance to Kenya’s economic growth and lifting of Kenyans out of the chains of poverty.
In the recent report, the auditor general outlined several areas where public resources are being embezzled in broad daylight through unclear payment systems, ghost workers and procurement execess. According to Auditor General’s report in January, Ksh67 billion was embezzled through fake payments. These reports helped fan public anger leading to protests.
During the anti-finance bill protests held in Kenyan Embassy in United States, Kenyans living in US decried rampant corruption saying corruption “must be done away with.”
Display of opulence
Cabinet Secretaries and politicians drawn from Kenya Kwanza were spotted in public donning expensive clothes and jewellery and to add salt to the wound, they contributed millions of shillings in Harambees and fundraising which left many Kenyan youth wondering where the money comes from.
Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi was among the politicians whoo were linched in social media by the youth. Sudi is on record contributing Ksh20 million in a church service, a move that angered the public.
Kericho senator Aaron Cheruiyot was also pointed out for donning in expensive pair of shoes worth more than Ksh100,00. He however, came out to defend himself saying the price of the $100 (approximately Ksh12,000).
During mobilization of the protests in social media, such incidences were used to stir public anger and as justification to protest against an insensitive political class, who loot and display in broad daylight.
The Occupy parliament campaign was as a result of MPs who are believed to be embezzling public fund for their own benefits and voting “Yes” to the controversial and punitive finance bill while many citizens are wallowing in abject poverty.
Finland Scholarship Scandal
Eldoret, president Ruto’s backyard witnessed massive protests that left Rift Valley leaders dumbfounded. Behind the scenes were more than 300 student who were stranded at home after their parents money were embezzled by Rift Valley politicians.
Reports reveals parents parted with Ksh300 million with a promise that their children will be admitted to universities in Finland and Canada, only to out to be the biggest education scam in recent years.
Youths across the country had had enough of politicians fake promises and time for accountability has come.
