The new face of activism in Kenya: Social media and anti-taxation protest

A showdown looms in Nairobi on Tuesday as Kenyans plan to take to the streets to protest against the proposed Finance Bill, 2024.

The protests are set to take place as the National Assembly's Finance and Planning Committee is expected to table their report on the Bill for debate by MPs, after which a vote is expected to be taken on Thursday.

The Tuesday 'Occupy Parliament' protest has been organised by Kenyan activists and content creators who have been using various social media platforms to rally their numbers as they seek to pile pressure on MPs to shoot down contentious provisions in the Bill.

What does the law say about protests?

The right to protest is enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya under Article 37. It states that "Every person has the right, peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket, and to present petitions to public authorities".

The right to protest is also affirmed by international instruments to which Kenya is a signatory.

These include the African Charter on Human and People's Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

New face of activism

The mobilisers of '#OccupyParliament' having used the proper channel to notify the government of the planned protest and consulted legal experts, show the evolution of demos in the country.

On June 15, 2024 activist Boniface Mwangi wrote to the Officer Commanding Police Division at Central Police Station notifying him of the protest and requesting for police protection.

“We would like to notify you that at 12 pm on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, we have invited all Kenyans to proceed on a peaceful march as free citizens of this great nation to picket outside parliament against the Finance Bill of 2024,” read the letter in part.

"The protest is to demand that the Members of Parliament, whom we elected, vote NO! against over-taxation. We expect your officers to respect Article 37 of the Constitution of Kenya,”

The letter was also copied to Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome.

Kenyans have been used to politicians calling for protests as witnessed during the maandamano in 2023 that was called by the Opposition (Azimio la Umoja) and the historic Saba Saba protests which are usually commemorated on July 7.

Kenneth Matiba, James Orengo and other leaders during a protest on July 7, 1990, a day that later came to be known as Saba Saba. (Photo: Handout)

Other protests held in Kenya have been by workers such as the recent doctors' strike which was announced by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union and lasted 56 days this year.

However, the '#Occupy Parliament' started as a conversation on social media where Kenyans after the budget reading statement by the Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung'u on June 13, 2024.

Kenyans took to social media to express their disappointment with the Finance Bill, 2024 which many termed as 'oppressive'.

Activist Boniface Mwangi @bonifacemwangi expected to lead protests against the Finance Bill, 2024 at Parliament today from 12 pm, with MPs convening at 2 pm to receive its report tabled by the National Assembly's Finance and National Planning Committee.

📹: Boniface Mwangi pic.twitter.com/AldQBpiNNz

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) June 18, 2024

According to a survey conducted on social media platforms in 2021, social media was the primary target for misinformation, with WhatsApp topping the list followed by X (formerly Twitter) and others.

However, the youths have used the same social media platforms to spread plans for the protests.

It has become a platform for education and awareness, where activists share knowledge, debunk misinformation, and engage in meaningful discussions.

Hashtags, viral posts, and online campaigns have attracted support and drawn international attention to local issues.

Riot policemen stand guard as pro-Palestinian demonstrators prepare to march in a protest following a flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence, outside the Masjid Al-Salaam in Nairobi, Kenya May 13, 2021. (Photo: REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya)

Using hashtags as one of the mobilization tools on social media, especially on the X platform Kenyans including activists, and content creators used #OccupyParliament and #rejectfinancebill.

With Kenyans on X retweeting the hashtag and tagging followers on their X handle, the '#Occupy Parliament' has gained momentum.

Another tool used in social media was the creation of reels and videos on TikTok and Instagram.

In the videos, people explained in how the Bill will affect Kenyans, in case it is passed without any amendment.

People also used animation as a tool to advocate for their rights and rally against the Bill.

Also, the use of posters and memes was widely to keep people on alert.

A meme as described by Oxford Dictionary is an image, video, or piece of text, which is typically humorous in nature and is spread rapidly by internet users.

Preparations

In preparation for the protest, flyers were being distributed physically to passers-by on Monday, others were pasted on the walls of buildings while others were being shared across social media platforms; Facebook, Instagram, X (former Twitter) and TikTok.

The organisers of the peaceful protest say people should start gathering from noon and, the dress code for the day is black.

"Carry placard, handkerchief and bottle of water," the poster reads.

Protesters often arm themselves with bottles of water and handkerchiefs in anticipation should teargas be lobbed at them.

Rinsing eyes with plain water is known to wash off the burning sensation of chemicals contained in teargas.

Boniface Mwangi, one of the activists leading the protest said the police have already been notified of the planned peaceful demo.

"We shall gather to keep vigil as members of Parliament vote at 2.30 pm. IG Koome to provide police to protect us as he respects Article 37 of the Constitution: The right to protest and picket," he said.

A code of conduct was also released on Monday, asking protesters to be peaceful and to maintain their cool even when harassed.

"Bring a friend, do not walk alone. Document and share your location with your family and friends," the code stated.

An emergency number,0716200200, was also shared to be used in case of arrest, with lawyers stationed at police stations.

The police, in preparation for the march, have been holding meetings to plan how they will handle the protests.

It's a wait-and-see of how the "Occupy Parliament" will go down.

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