The demonstration came just hours before Finance Minister John Mbadi was due to unveil a national budget aimed at increasing government revenue to service mounting debt, Reuters reports.
Protesters took to the streets of Nairobi on Thursday morning ahead of Kenya’s budget presentation, expressing anger and concern over potential new financial measures.
The demonstration came just hours before Finance Minister John Mbadi was due to unveil a national budget aimed at increasing government revenue to service mounting debt, Reuters reports.
The administration of President William Ruto is under pressure to reduce the fiscal deficit amid a debt-to-GDP ratio nearing two-thirds, significantly higher than the 55 per cent threshold viewed as sustainable.
Last year, proposed tax hikes worth over 346 billion Kenyan shillings ($2.7 billion) sparked deadly protests across the country, eventually forcing the government to abandon the plan.
“Kenyans cannot bear more tax,” Finance Minister John Mbadi said on Wednesday. “For the first time, we have not added taxes in the current finance bill as has been the case before.”
Still, the budget is facing criticism. Opponents accuse the government of shifting to indirect taxation and granting the Kenya Revenue Authority intrusive powers over citizens’ financial data, including access to bank accounts and mobile money transactions.
But Mbadi defended the approach, saying, “The revenue authority must be empowered to collect taxes to run the country.”
Tax expert John Kuria of Kody Africa stated that the government is attempting to balance public dissatisfaction and economic demands.
“They understand that people are not very happy, especially with the government and how the taxes are being used,” Kuria said.
Despite promised spending cuts and expanded tax compliance, Kuria added, “I think we’re still going to have a significant funding shortfall.”
Shani Smit-Lengton, a senior economist at Oxford Economics Africa, warned that even though the budget outlines credible deficit-reduction measures, Kenya’s implementation track record remains poor.
“Achieving this balance will be critical to maintaining both investor confidence and domestic stability,” she said.
Similarly, in Nigeria, June 12 protests are unfolding across multiple states, with demonstrators voicing frustration over economic hardship, insecurity, and governance concerns.
The protests coincide with Democracy Day, a national holiday commemorating the historic June 12, 1993, election won by Moshood Abiola.
Organised by the #TakeItBackMovement, rallies are planned in at least 20 states, including Lagos, Abuja, Oyo, and Delta. Protesters are demanding better governance, economic relief, and improved security, citing reports that over 133 million Nigerians live in poverty and thousands have been displaced due to violence.
The protests serve as a stark reminder of growing public dissatisfaction, mirroring similar demonstrations in Kenya over economic policies and taxation.
While Kenya’s protests focus on financial measures, Nigeria’s unrest highlights broader concerns about governance and living conditions.