While speaking during an interview on Radio Citizen, Senator Sifuna expressed regret that their attempts to oppose the bill in Parliament were unsuccessful, leaving them with no option but to call for mass protests.
He emphasized that this time the protests would have a national scope, as the high cost of living and increased taxation would affect all Kenyans, regardless of their political affiliations.
The senator stated that mass action was necessary for the government, led by President William Ruto, to pay attention to the grievances of the people. He cited the Arab Spring protests in other countries, which were triggered by a rise in the price of bread, as examples of the power of public demonstrations.
Mr. Sifuna also criticized the lack of commitment from the Kenya Kwanza side of the bipartisan talks, which were supposed to address critical issues affecting Kenyans, claiming that they arrived late to the meetings, and lacked instructions from their superiors.
The Finance Bill, which was passed on June 21, 2023, includes increased taxation measures such as a 16% Value Added Tax on fuel, a controversial Housing Fund tax which many Kenyans are yet to fully understand, and a Withholding Tax for content creators.
Senator Sifuna however stated that the protests would be voluntary, allowing those satisfied with the government to remain at home.
In the first quarter of 2023, Kenya witnessed widespread demonstrations, sporadic protests, chaos, looting, and encounters with tear gas and water cannons by the police. These scenes have become familiar in Nairobi, the country’s capital and the economic center of East Africa, whenever politicians rally for mass action.
The recent demonstrations were prompted by Raila Odinga, a former prime minister and long-standing opposition leader in Kenya. Mr Odinga called for protests in order to address the increasing cost of living, allegations of electoral malpractices in the previous year’s election, and to express opposition to what he considered an “illegitimate” and dysfunctional government under President William Ruto.
It is safe to say that demonstrations in Kenya can be seen as a manifestation of both popular discontent with the cost of living and the opposition’s attempts to capitalize on people’s frustrations.
