The Kenyan Finance Bill 2024, a controversial tax bill, has sparked nationwide protests in Nairobi, with thousands of Kenyans using digital activism to organize and voice their opposition. Gen Z, individuals born between the late 1990s and early 2010s, have created an organic grassroots movement using platforms like TikTok and X to share videos explaining the finance bill in various Kenyan dialects.
The protests have taken place in almost every city and major town, with digital media and activism expert Job Mwaura sharing insights into how the protests were mobilized online and then onto the streets. Digital tools and strategies employed today are taking activism to an entirely new level, showcasing sophistication and reach that would have been hard to imagine.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been used to create images, songs, and videos that amplify the movement’s messages and reach a wider audience. Developers have also created specialized GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) models designed to answer questions on the finance bill. Platforms like TikTok and X are being used to share videos of people explaining the finance bill in various Kenyan dialects.
Hashtags such as #OccupyParliament and #RejectFinanceBill2024 have trended on social media platforms for several days, further highlighting the power of digital activism in mobilising support and maintaining the momentum of the protests. Successful crowdfunding through digital platforms has enabled supporters to send money for transportation, allowing more people to join the protests in Nairobi’s central business district.
Another strategy used in the protests is hacking government websites, disrupting services, and drawing attention to their cause. Personal information, such as the phone numbers of political leaders, was leaked to allow protesters to spam them with SMS and WhatsApp messages.
Activists have also created a website featuring a “wall of shame” that lists politicians who support the Finance Bill.
