ACTION · Protest Monitor Project Kenya

Finance Bill 2024

The protests between June and August 2024 began after the Finance Bill 2024 was introduced in parliament on June 18. The bill proposed significant tax increases on essential goods and services, sparking nationwide outrage. After several days of protests, President William Ruto announced on June 26 that he would not sign the bill into law. Despite this decision, protests continued, with demonstrators calling for Ruto’s resignation and greater government accountability.

Protest Monitor Project

Gender Dialogues implemented the project during the 4 weeks of Anti-Finance Bill 2024.

Week 1:
The first week was marked by largely peaceful protests. However, the killing of Rex Kanyike Masai, a 29-year-old man fatally shot during the demonstrations, became a rallying point for the movement. Shocking footage captured police shooting at peaceful protesters, sparking public outrage.

Week 2 and 3:
Peaceful protests persisted as citizens continued to demand the withdrawal of the punitive Finance Bill 2024 and justice for Rex Kanyike. Reports of police mismanagement of the protests escalated dramatically. By the end of the third week, the death toll had risen to 39, with at least 17 state-sponsored abductions reported.

Week 4:
The final week saw an even stronger wave of online mobilization and civic engagement. In Kisumu, residents organized the Saba Saba Concert to honor those killed by law enforcement during the protests.

Impact

The organization successfully recruited 6 volunteers who were responsible for documenting events and sharing updates across social media platforms. Gender Dialogues also established a collaboration with media outlets Go Preach Gospel (GPG) and Ramogi TV, both of which have committed to covering future Gender Dialogues initiatives that promote peaceful assembly in Kenya.

Overall, the organization raised public awareness of protest rights and secured a new partnership to support ongoing advocacy for a safer and more peaceful protest environment in Kenya.

The Action Fund is proud to have supported this action and stands in solidarity with the #RejectFinanceBill2024 movement in its call for stronger governmental accountability.

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