Protestors should be more specific

Tax protests by so-called Gen Z protestors are still roiling the country.

The predominantly young demonstrators want the Finance Bill rejected in its entirety and complain they they have not been involved in decision-making.

Undoubtedly the tax rises proposed by the Ruto government are not popular. They are too many, too fast.

The demonstrators have won merited praise for not looting and avoiding the destruction of property. They have a modern style, communicate by social messaging, and have no clear leaders.

But there is a downside, they have no clear agenda. What proposed government services do the demonstrators want to stop in exchange for stopping all the tax rises in the Finance Bill? Affordable housing? Free public healthcare for all?

It is too simplistic to say that everything would be affordable if corruption and wastage were eliminated.

The government should listen to the protestors who are articulating their resentment over the poor opportunities for young people in Kenya.

Government should make a statement about what it can do for these young people. But equally the protestors should articulate what they specifically  want, rather than just shouting that ‘tax is modern-day slavery’.

Quote of the day: “If you want to see the true measure of a man, watch how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.”

J. K. Rowling 
The British author published her first Harry Potter novel on June 26, 1997