Kenya: Debt, taxes, and repression fuel youth protests, activists warn

Kenya's youth are increasingly frustrated by a combination of rising debt, higher taxes, and deteriorating economic conditions, according to activists and human rights experts. These concerns, coupled with unemployment, poor public services, and corruption, are fueling widespread anger, they warned Thursday during a panel discussion in Nairobi.

The experts, speaking at the sixth African Conference on Debt and Development (AfCoDD VI), explained that the government's need to raise revenue and service its debt has resulted in tax measures that further strain households already struggling with the cost of living. Debt repayments are also diverting funds from crucial areas like healthcare, education, and social protection, while corruption and mismanagement of borrowed funds continue to weaken public finances.

This frustration spilled onto the streets in 2024, when thousands of Kenyans, many of them young people, protested against proposed tax increases, the cost of living, and unemployment. Although the government eventually withdrew the Finance Bill 2024, the underlying issues remain unresolved, the panellists stressed. They cautioned against viewing the demonstrations solely as opposition to the Finance Bill, emphasizing that community-based human rights groups have long campaigned on issues like police brutality, rising prices, and inadequate public services.

Furthermore, the activists expressed grave concerns about the government's handling of these protests, citing killings, abductions, and other forms of repression. These incidents, they argued, have further eroded trust and significantly shrunk the civic space available for citizens to protest and demand accountability. The session was organized by Amnesty International and included researchers and advocates from various human rights and development organizations.

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As they pay taxes, they’re asking what is in it for us? What are we getting out of it?