'It's not about Finance Bill anymore' - Gen Zs vow to proceed with protests

Anti-Finance Bill protesters have vowed to continue with their demonstrations scheduled for Thursday, despite President William Ruto's decision to withdraw the Finance Bill, 2024. This is as even Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua pleaded with the youth to halt the demonstrations that have left many dead and property destroyed.

While addressing the nation on Wednesday, the President said he would not sign the Bill, after considering the people's views and the protests that had entered the second week.

"Listening keenly to the people of Kenya who have said loudly that they want nothing to do with this Finance Bill 2024, I concede and therefore I will not sign the 2024 Finance Bill and it shall subsequently be withdrawn," he said.

He insisted that he would be holding a conversation about Kenya's financial and economic matters with the young people, adding that it would boost efforts to better manage the country's affairs.

“I will be proposing an engagement with the young people of our nation, our sons and daughters, and listen to their views, proposals, ideas, concerns, and what they think we should do better going forward,” he said.

In a subsequent presser, his deputy also urged the protesters to call off Thursday's protests.

However, the demonstrators, predominantly led by Generation Z, expressed dissatisfaction with the President's withdrawal of the bill saying it's no longer about the Bill.

The protesters noted that they are angered with Ruto’s administration on how it vehemently handled young protesters during Tuesday’s demonstrations, which led to the death of dozens.

People attend a demonstration against Kenya's proposed Finance Bill 2024/2025 in Nairobi, on June 25, 2024. (Photo: REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi)

According to the Police Reforms Working Group (PRWG), 23 of the deaths were recorded between 7 am and 6 pm across the county while 30 others were recorded at night in the Githurai area.

Several Kenyans have taken to X (formally Twitter) and vowed "no retreat no surrender".

"Ruto just conceded. He will not sign the Finance Bill. We won, now, let’s focus on the next mission #RutoMustGo. People did not die for nothing," Joy Muraya, a protester posted on X.

“There's nothing he can do to convince us that he is fit to be president, we saw a snipper blow off a protestor's head, a peaceful unarmed youth, he can address the nation as many times as he can, but our call remains Ruto must go,” Oduk said.

“Tomorrow we march for our fallen heroes. No amount of explanation can bring our massacred fathers, mothers, youths and children back, not even rejecting the Finance Bill 2024. The only option available to you now is to resign and go home,” Stephen Murimi, another youth tweeted.

Gabaskis said it was no longer about the bill but about those who met their deaths. “We must show up tomorrow. It isn’t about the bill anymore, it's about our fallen soldiers in Parliament, our comrades in Githurai, and those in Juja. We must fight,” he said.

"Imagine the situation we are in at the moment & somebody is talking about the price of Unga. I think it's time for him to vacate the office," George Diano said while responding to Ruto's speech.

Activist Boniface Mwangi urged Ruto to heed the voices of Kenyans suffering under his administration's policies, particularly high taxation and corruption.

“Let President Ruto listen to the people. The hundreds of thousands who protested peacefully across the country to reject the Finance Bill 2024 are the most affected by his policies. Most of them have no livelihoods, and can’t marry, date, or even consider having children because of the harsh economic times. When they analyse that budget, they see billions set aside for office renovations, luxurious cars, furniture, and spouses of those in power,” he said.

“If their cries will not be heard, the government should expect more protests. He hasn’t fired a single thief in his cabinet. Even this “reduced budget” will go into his people’s pockets. Let everything be done within the rule of law. I’m ready to die for my country but it’s better to live for it. The truth will set us free.”

He urged Kenyans to show up on Thursday to peacefully voice out their concerns to the government especially those who lost their lives.

“We are still on. The one million people march #RejectFinanceBill2024. We ask the National Police Service and the Kenya Defense Forces to provide protection to peaceful protesters. Yesterday the government failed us. Tomorrow we march for our freedom, and those they killed. We refuse to be silenced. Gen-X, Millenials, Gen-Z and all Citizens March,” Mwangi said.

Demonstrators have been asked to carry placards, handkerchiefs, a bottle of water, a white cloth or ribbon and the Kenyan flag.

“Meet-Up: across the country dress code: white (+ black). For those around Nairobi, block all roads leading to the City on Thursday,” he added.