Kenya has seen a surge in anti-government protests since June 2024. The origin of the protests was a rejection of Kenya’s 2024 Finance Bill which included tax increases.

Evelyne Musambi highlights how the conflict escalated today. Musambi notes ‘Anti-government protesters in Kenya’s capital clashed with an emerging pro-government group on Tuesday, with hundreds swarming and burning a motorcycle belonging to people who expressed support for the country's president. The military made a rare deployment as the protests focused on the country's main airport. The weeks of turmoil in East Africa’s economic hub have led to dozens of deaths, the firing of most Cabinet members and calls for President William Ruto's resignation. Protests began with Kenyans' rejecting a proposed bill to impose more taxes as millions in the country barely get by amid rising prices.’ As Mutambi notes the already cash-strapped Kenyan population, particularly Gen-Z, strongly reject the Government’s plans for increased taxes and the protests have already turned deadly. There have been calls for the President to resign which could lead to further instability in the region.

Could these protests in Kenya lead to neighbouring African countries following suit? As Carlos Mureithi ascertains, this may already be the case. Mureithi asserts that ‘scores of demonstrators have been arrested in the Uganda capital, Kampala, for taking part in a banned rally that has drawn inspiration from the youth-led anti-government protests that have roiled neighbouring Kenya for a month now. Police stopped and detained people from among small groups of protesters who were marching and shouting anti-corruption slogans in different parts of the city.The police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said authorities would “not allow a demonstration that will risk peace and security of the country.' Kenya’s surge in anti-government protests have already inspired demonstrations in neighbouring Uganda and it is likely that further African nations could emulate this. There will be increasing pressure on Kenya’s president to restore order in the nation and enact widespread policy reform.