“How do you Teargas a Baddie?”: Anatomy of the June 2024 Protests in Kenya
Video Arts & Humanities 2025 Graduate ExhibitionPresentation by Amy Omolo
Exhibition Number 525
Abstract
This presentation briefly presents the June 2024 protests in Kenya, sparked by the government's proposed Finance Bill, which aimed to increase taxes, including on bread. The bill's unfair taxation, particularly during an already tough economic climate, drove youth protests under the hashtag #RejectFinanceBill2024, which rapidly grew into a broader political movement challenging the government. The protests were framed by politicians as a "Gen Z" issue, dismissing the protestors as affluent, out-of-touch urban youth, primarily from Nairobi, who were supposedly unaware of hardships. Through the use of digital and physical activism, young people mobilized and voiced dissent. Despite criticisms from politicians, the protests demonstrated a significant political awakening among youth, who used online platforms to challenge state hegemony. The presentation also details the state's violent response to the protests. In response to state repression, the youth engaged in innovative forms of protest, such as creating animated caricatures of President William Ruto, known as "silhouettes," as a way to mock and critique the ruling class while avoiding direct repression. These digital strategies represented an evolving language of protest that was difficult for the state to control. In conclusion, the youth, through activism, have shown resilience and creativity in confronting the ruling class and the state’s violent tactics. While the movement has not yet overthrown the government, it has reshaped the political discourse by demonstrating the power of youth participation and digital resistance, forcing the government to recognize the importance of youth in the legislative process and the broader political landscape.
Importance
The presentation highlights two important points •Youth Participation: The presentation emphasizes the importance of youth participation in politics and the ongoing struggle against political marginalization. •Digital Activism: It highlights the role of digital activism in mobilizing youth and challenging the status quo.