Why Kenyan Youth Must Join the National Budget Review Process in 2025: Lessons from the Finance Bill 2024 Protests

In 2024, Kenya witnessed a powerful and unexpected wave of protests led by Gen Z — a movement that caught the attention of the entire nation. Sparked by the controversial Finance Bill 2024, young Kenyans took to the streets and social media, demanding a more transparent, inclusive, and fair economic system. Their actions played a significant role in the rejection of the bill, marking a turning point in how youth influence governance. As we look ahead to the 2025 budget cycle, this moment should not be forgotten. Instead, it must fuel a new culture of active youth participation in the national budget review process.

Understanding the Budget Review Process

Every year, the national budget outlines how the government plans to raise and spend money. This includes how much will go to education, health, job creation, infrastructure, and more. The budget affects every Kenyan — but especially young people, who represent over 70% of the population and are directly impacted by decisions on education funding, youth empowerment programs, taxation, and employment opportunities.

The budget review process gives citizens, including youth, a chance to provide feedback before the final document is approved by Parliament. Public participation is a constitutional right in Kenya, but many young people are either unaware of this process or don’t believe their input matters. The events of 2024 proved otherwise.

What Happened in 2024?

The Finance Bill 2024 proposed several new taxes and levies, including on basic digital services, fuel, and small businesses — all of which disproportionately affected young Kenyans. For a generation already facing high unemployment, rising cost of living, and limited economic opportunities, the bill felt like a direct attack on their future.

Social media became the epicenter of activism. Hashtags like #RejectFinanceBill2024 and #GenZPower trended for days, uniting youth across political, social, and economic backgrounds. The protests weren’t just about rejecting a bad bill — they were about demanding to be heard.

And they were.

The widespread demonstrations and online campaigns forced lawmakers to take a second look, and in a rare move, the bill was rejected. It was a victory not just for Gen Z, but for civic engagement and the power of youth voice.

Why Youth Must Stay Engaged in 2025

The rejection of the Finance Bill 2024 was a wake-up call — not just for the government, but for the youth themselves. It showed that young people have the numbers, the energy, and the platforms to influence national policy. But protests alone are not enough. True change comes from being part of the process early on.

As the 2025 budget is developed, youth must:

1. Attend Public Participation Forums: These forums are held in counties across the country. Show up. Speak up. Ask questions.

2. Engage Online and Offline: Use social media to raise awareness, but also participate in official budget hearings, webinars, and surveys.

3. Understand the Budget: Simplified budget documents are usually available through the National Treasury and civil society organizations. Learning the basics of how the budget works is the first step to meaningful input.

4. Hold Leaders Accountable: Track how your elected representatives vote and what they prioritize in budget discussions.

5. Propose Solutions: Criticism is important, but so is contribution. Youth-led policy proposals, innovation hubs, and student organizations can suggest practical, youth-friendly alternatives.

The Finance Bill 2024 protests were more than just a reaction — they were a revolution in how young Kenyans engage with governance. But the real test lies ahead. Can that energy be sustained through structured participation in 2025? Can youth go beyond protests to policy?

The answer must be YES!.

Kenya's future belongs to its youth. To shape it, they must be at the center of every conversation — including how the nation spends its money. Let 2025 be the year young people not only resist bad policies but help create better ones.