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The Finance Bill that soured Ruto's relationship with Gen Zs

Youth during GenZ 1st anniversary protests in Nairobi, on June 25, 2025. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

It began with a tax Bill — and ended in bloodshed. When President William Ruto forced the Finance Bill 2024 through Parliament despite growing public opposition, he did more than raise taxes, he ignited Kenya’s most intense youth-led protests in decades.

The backlash has rattled his administration and exposed deep national rifts, seen through a rebelling Church, Gen Z, dissenting politicians, and professionals battered by high taxes and soaring living costs.

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