MPs pass controversial Finance Bill 2024

In a dramatic session held on 25 June 2024, the National Assembly of Kenya approved the widely criticised Finance Bill 2024 with a vote tally of 195 in favour and 106 against — three ballots were spoilt.
The bill, which included proposed tax hikes on essential goods and services, triggered public outrage as protesters congregated outside Parliament, calling the legislation unfair and regressive.
The background to the bill reveals mounting financial pressure on the government. Facing high public debt and a faltering economy, the administration argued that the tax increases were necessary to plug funding gaps and shore up development spending.
As the bill moved through fast‑track amendments, many of the most unpopular measures — such as a proposed 16 % VAT on bread and a motor‑vehicle tax — were shelved amid mounting pressure.
Nonetheless, critics argue that the core framework still placed a heavier burden on ordinary Kenyans. The parliamentary vote itself took place even as thousands of demonstrators stormed the legislative complex, looting and clashing with police, which raised serious questions about governance and stability.
Reactions to the decision were swift and polarised. Supporters within the ruling coalition defended the move as an unavoidable step to protect the economy, while opposition parties decried the vote as a betrayal of public trust. Civil‑society organisations raised alarms about the suppression of dissent and the use of force against protesters, with reports of individuals killed and hundreds arrested during the unrest.
The episode also galvanised Kenya’s youth — especially Generation Z — who took centre‐stage in online campaigns and street protests under hashtags like #RejectFinanceBill2024.
Looking ahead, the passage of the bill is likely to have long‑term implications for Kenya’s fiscal policy and political landscape. The government must now turn rhetoric into delivery by showing that revenues raised will translate into concrete benefits for citizens — especially in a climate of rising living costs. At the same time, the opposition and civic groups will be vigilant, pressing for accountability and transparency in how the funds are used. With the next general election in sight, the event has exposed fault‑lines in public trust and may reshape which voter blocs hold sway in the campaigns to come