The Fight Against Kenya’s Finance Bill 2024
What is a finance bill? Was it there before President Ruto came into power? Why #RejectFinanceBill2024? Why #RutoMustGo? Why is Kenya in turmoil? Why are there numerous reports of police brutality? These are just a few of the questions we will address in this article. Join me as we explore and uncover all the details about the 2024 finance bill in Kenya.
A finance bill typically refers to legislation that outlines the government's proposed changes to the taxation system, public spending, and other financial matters for the upcoming fiscal year. These bills are crucial for understanding how governments plan to manage revenue and expenditure, impacting various sectors and individuals through tax policies, budget allocations, and economic strategies.
Imagine the Finance Bill as that one relative who shows up at every family gathering with new ideas on how to improve everyone's lives (read: take more of your money). Yes, the Finance Bill has been around long before Ruto's presidency, popping up annually to stir the pot.
A finance bill typically refers to legislation that outlines the government's proposed changes to the taxation system, public spending, and other financial matters for the upcoming fiscal year. These bills are crucial for understanding how governments plan to manage revenue and expenditure, impacting various sectors and individuals through tax policies, budget allocations, and economic strategies.
Imagine the Finance Bill as that one relative who shows up at every family gathering with new ideas on how to improve everyone's lives (read: take more of your money). Yes, the Finance Bill has been around long before Ruto's presidency, popping up annually to stir the pot.
Under previous presidents, the Finance Bill would roll in with proposals, some well-received and others, well, not so much. Think of it as a yearly remix of the same old song, with different beats but always aiming to raise revenue and balance the budget.
President Ruto's ascent hasn't changed this tradition. It's become even more headline-grabbing, like a reality show twist you didn’t see coming. The 2024 version has sparked more protests and debates than an unscripted reality show reunion.
So, in short, yes, the Finance Bill was very much a fixture before President Ruto took office. It’s like that sequel you didn’t ask for but can’t ignore – always present, always stirring emotions, and always part of the annual budget drama in Kenya.
Kenyans have rallied around the hashtag #RejectFinanceBill2024(which was trending with about 2.9m posts) due to the bill's proposed tax increases that many argue will disproportionately affect the lower and middle classes. The bill introduces higher taxes on essential goods and services, making the cost of living unbearable for many. Critics claim the bill is a desperate attempt by the government to raise revenue at the expense of ordinary citizens already struggling with high inflation and unemployment rates.
The call for President Ruto's resignation, encapsulated in the hashtag #RutoMustGo, stems from widespread dissatisfaction with his administration's handling of the economy and the heavy-handed response to protests. Many Kenyans believe that Ruto's government has failed to deliver on its promises to improve the economy and reduce the cost of living. The violent crackdown on peaceful protests, which has included the use of live bullets, has only fueled anger and demands for his resignation.
Kenya is experiencing severe unrest due to a combination of economic hardships and brutal police responses to protests. The Finance Bill 2024 has sparked widespread demonstrations, with protesters entering Parliament and even the Nakuru State House. Reports of police using live bullets on protesters, sometimes captured live on TV, have shocked the nation. The Githurai and Rongai massacres, where police shot multiple protesters, including a young man around 10 times, highlight the extreme violence being used to quell dissent.
Police brutality in Kenya has reached alarming levels, with numerous reports of excessive force against peaceful demonstrators. Live bullets, tear gas, and water cannons have been used indiscriminately, leading to deaths and injuries, including the tragic killing of babies. Instances of police using live bullets on demonstrators, some of which were broadcast live on television, have been reported. This brutality is not only a violation of human rights but also a direct challenge to Kenya's constitutional guarantees of peaceful assembly and free expression.
Many Kenyans believe that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the United States are indirectly fueling the economic crisis. The IMF’s stringent economic policies and loan conditions are seen as exacerbating Kenya's debt burden, leading to austerity measures like those proposed in the Finance Bill 2024. Additionally, global economic policies and trade dynamics influenced by the USA have contributed to rising costs of living in Kenya, further inflaming public discontent.
The protests in Kenya are part of a larger global wave of demonstrations against economic inequality and government mismanagement. Around the world, people are rising against similar issues, demanding fairer economic policies and accountability from their leaders. This global context adds a layer of solidarity and urgency to the Kenyan protests, with calls for President Ruto to resign and for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the government's actions.
Kenya's younger generations, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, have been at the forefront of these protests. They have utilized social media to organize and raise awareness, advocating for peaceful demonstrations. Despite this, there are allegations that some MPs are paying individuals to incite violence, which the police then use as a pretext to escalate their brutal response. The government's response to these protests has been marked by severe police brutality.
Protesters have taken bold steps, such as storming Parliament and the Nakuru State House. These actions reflect their desperation and determination to be heard. Alarming reports have emerged of a sniper allegedly set up to target protesters, with one tragic incident of a man, whose brains were allegedly splashed on the tarmac by a sniper. This extreme measure underscores the high stakes and the severe response faced by demonstrators.
The recent demonstrations in Kenya against the Finance Bill 2024 have become a vivid testament to perceived government incompetence. The bill proposes significant tax increases on essential goods and services, including fuel, cooking gas, and mobile money transactions, which many argue will disproportionately impact the lower and middle classes. This has sparked widespread public outrage, leading to large-scale protests across major cities like Nairobi, Kisumu, and Mombasa and around 35 of the 47 counties.
In conclusion, this is more of a trailer than the real story of what is actually happening in Kenya at the moment, I will be doing this series and diving deep into everything week in week out until the whole topic is exhausted, therefore, be on the lookout.
The recent demonstrations in Kenya against the Finance Bill 2024 have become a vivid testament to perceived government incompetence. The bill proposes significant tax increases on essential goods and services, including fuel, cooking gas, and mobile money transactions, which many argue will disproportionately impact the lower and middle classes. This has sparked widespread public outrage, leading to large-scale protests across major cities like Nairobi, Kisumu, and Mombasa and around 35 of the 47 counties.
In conclusion, this is more of a trailer than the real story of what is actually happening in Kenya at the moment, I will be doing this series and diving deep into everything week in week out until the whole topic is exhausted, therefore, be on the lookout.