The protests began with a poster urging Kenyans to unite against the Finance Bill. The poster outlined a plan for daily actions leading up to a major demonstration on June 25.
One key action was the nightly "Reject Hour," where nightclubs were asked to pause their music at 11:59 PM for 10 minutes. During this time, patrons sang protest songs, chanted slogans like "Ruto Must Go," and voiced their discontent with the bill.
The Finance Bill 2024, introduced by the government, has sparked widespread controversy due to its new tax policies, which many believe will negatively impact ordinary citizens.
The protest campaign gained significant traction, especially in urban areas where nightclubs became the focal point of nightly demonstrations.
On the night of June 22, the movement reached its peak. In Nairobi, at popular clubs like Cavalli and Quiver Lounge, DJs and patrons came together to sing songs like Eric Wainaina’s "Daima" and Juliani’s "Utawala."
Similar scenes played out in other cities. In Eldoret’s Tamasha, people chanted "Ruto Must Go," while in Mombasa, DJ Joe Mfalme at Yatch Lounge led a moment of silence for Rex Kanyike, a protester who was recently killed.
This protest method is notable for its creativity and broad participation. It managed to transform entertainment spaces into platforms for political expression, with DJs expertly leading the sessions.
Social media was flooded with videos of these moments, showing a united front against the bill.The "7 Days of Rage" campaign continued to outline further actions, including plans for a nationwide strike on June 25, dubbed #TotalShutdownKE.
Protesters are also planning to confront members of parliament who supported the bill and to disrupt political activities in churches on June 23.
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