
“PRESIDENT RUTO calls on MPs to pass Finance Bill 2024 amid nationwide protests against proposed tax measures; asks Parliament to help fund development projects across Kenya” (Nation Africa, 20.06.2024).
The recent demonstrations and riots in Kenya can easily become the nail in the coffin of the Kenya Kwanza Government. The era of President William Ruto is getting a taste of the bitter fruits of power. As his government is overtaxing and finding ways of adding expenditure on the public. While the high-ranking officials and others are living lavish.
The elites are earning profits and getting value for money. However, the cost-of-living crisis and the problems of the citizens are still there. The added taxes and the costs on day-to-day life isn’t bearable. The taxation will only hurt the pockets more… and make things more dire.
All the promises ahead of the polls. The wheelbarrows and being there for the hustlers are all gone away. Now activists and citizens are arrested for participating in the demonstrations. Even some law enforcements have been using violence and it’s been lethal. Those who has been hurt and killed. Need to be investigated and answered for, as well, as the rights to assemble and demonstrate is still viable in the Republic.
The teargas, water-cannons and live-bullets is a sign of a oppressive government that doesn’t want to listen to the dissent. The public isn’t having it and was peacefully demonstrating against the Finance Bill of 2024. They had concerns and meaningful disagreements with it. As they are the ones who will feel the pinch and the punch of the law itself. The taxes and rises of it will be another burden on them. That’s why they are going to the streets to demonstrate against it.
President Ruto and his allies better listen. They cannot act like they are above it or have all the answers. Right here and right now… they can either become disassociated with the public or be totally disconnected. If the government and the political elite gets to far away from the public. It won’t be easily to get their trust or even their support in the next election. The Kenya Kwanza is now dismantling their own future by challenging the ones on the streets.
This was a government for the hustlers and the ones fighting day to day to earn a living. Nevertheless, that was just words and empty promises. Just like the Jubilee would deliver stadiums and laptops. Ruto continues a prolonged line of empty promises and lack of service delivery. Now on top of that, his adding taxes and making life even harder for the citizens. That’s when you are putting more wood on the fire. He is giving the citizens more reasons to demonstrate and cry out loud.
President Ruto has to engage with the public now. Not wear Kaunda suits and be a vagabond. He needs to listen to the dismay and the discontent, because this can be the last straw. The one that breaks the camel’s back. The last water drops in the glass.
These demonstrations are proof of what is wrong in Kenya. The Republic needs a government that serves the public and not the other way around. That’s how it looks like. A government for the hustlers, are actually hustling the citizens. This is absurd, but not a surprise. Knowing how Ruto operate and how he thinks he can be able to run away from the storm. Peace.
















