A year after widespread protests rocked Kenya over President William Ruto’s controversial finance bill, the country’s economy remains in a fragile state. Despite being considered an economic hub in East Africa, millions of Kenyans are still grappling with high living costs, rising taxes, and deepening poverty.
Christine Naswa, a 40-year-old mother of five, hawks vegetables by a busy Nairobi roadside. Her reality is shared by many: “The economy is very poor right now. There is no money in Kenya. I can’t even feed my children,” she lamented. Days without any profit have become all too common for small-scale traders like her.
Ruto’s administration came into power in 2022 with promises of economic upliftment for the common citizen. However, that hope has turned into frustration. The introduction of new taxes in 2023 triggered nationwide unrest, some of it deadly. Although the government walked back some tax measures, the damage to public trust was already done.
Kenya’s economy is diverse, anchored by agriculture, tourism, and a growing services sector. Yet, nearly 40% of the population lives in poverty, and fewer than 20% of jobs are in the formal sector—where tax burdens are heaviest. Critics argue that the government is over-relying on these few while failing to address inefficiencies and runaway corruption.
“This year has been the toughest in our 36 years of business,” said a Nairobi shopkeeper whose store was looted during last year’s protests. He criticized the government’s rapid tax increases, claiming he has seen no corresponding benefits.
The country’s debt situation further complicates matters. Kenya spends more on debt interest than on health or education, raising questions about fiscal priorities. While international institutions like the IMF urge tax hikes to support development, local experts warn that public tolerance has reached its limit.
“There’s a huge amount of distrust and disillusionment,” said Patricia Rodrigues of Control Risks. “Ruto promised a better life, but instead delivered higher taxes.”
With elections still two years away, many Kenyans are skeptical that real change will come. As one shopkeeper cynically put it, “Kenyans will always elect thieves.”
