By Moses Desire Kouyo
Nairobi, Kenya– In a significant pivot from last year’s chaotic rollout, the Kenyan government has unveiled a robust communication strategy aimed at managing public response to the proposed 2025 Finance Bill—an annual tax plan that in 2024 provoked nationwide protests, dozens of deaths, and mounting political pressure on President William Ruto.
This year, officials are betting on proactive messaging to avert a repeat of the unrest. The strategy includes widespread media engagement through mainstream TV and radio, community town halls, and the coordinated use of social media influencers on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook to amplify official narratives and clarify provisions of the bill.
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Unlike last year’s tough rhetoric around austerity and debt repayment, the administration is now positioning itself as responsive and people-centered. The focus has shifted to messaging that emphasizes “no new taxes”, broader tax base adjustments, and a commitment to ease the burden on ordinary citizens.
The digital communications are being spearheaded by Dennis Itumbi, a long-time presidential digital strategist and current head of special projects in the presidency. Hashtags like #BoldRuto and #NoNewTaxes2025 reflect a coordinated push to reshape public perception around the finance bill.
2024 Still Haunts the Administration
In 2024, the finance bill sparked unprecedented unrest. Demonstrations erupted nationwide, with at least 50 people killed, hundreds injured, and a reported 450% increase in abductions and extrajudicial killings, according to the civil society coalition Missing Voices. The protests were largely triggered by tax proposals that would have raised the cost of living for millions of Kenyans.
Officials now admit they were unprepared for the scale of backlash. One senior government communicator, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “There is a clear awareness now that last year’s approach to communication failed.”
New Bill, Familiar Tensions
While the 2025 Finance Bill avoids the introduction of sweeping new taxes, it proposes several technical adjustments with real-life consequences. Among them is a shift of goods from zero-rated VAT to VAT-exempt, a change analysts warn could increase the cost of essential products like medicine, motorbikes, and mobile phones.
Another provision—likely to generate heated debate—seeks to give Kenya’s tax agency the power to access business data without a court order, in a bid to improve tax compliance and real-time monitoring of transactions.
Despite the softening in tone, critics warn the substance of the bill may still hurt small businesses and consumers.
“People Want Accountability, Not Just PR”
John Mbadi, Kenya’s Treasury Cabinet Secretary, appeared in a televised town hall last week and stressed the administration’s intent to listen. “Kenyans are demanding accountability,” he said. “This bill reflects a more careful, inclusive process.”
Yet skepticism remains. Dennis Chiruba, a Nairobi-based tax attorney, noted that while the bill avoids aggressive tax hikes, some provisions could still increase the cost of doing business. “The strategy is more measured, but there are pain points. It’s more about broadening the tax base than introducing outright new taxes.”
Meanwhile, civic activists like John Wafula from Bunge la Mwananchi argue that the rebrand won’t mask the administration’s deeper issues. “People are tired. No one has been held responsible for the protest killings, and victims’ families have received no compensation. The economy is still biting,” he said. “The new messaging is more of a political survival tactic than genuine reform.”
Economic Pressure and Political Heat
Public frustration is compounded by high unemployment, rising living costs, and unpopular new policies like mandatory health insurance deductions and a housing levy. According to Kenya’s statistics bureau, the country’s GDP growth slowed to 4.7% in 2024, down from 5.7% the previous year.
The scale of unrest in 2024 caught the government off guard, culminating in protesters breaching Parliament on the day the bill was passed. Even after President Ruto rescinded the bill and reshuffled parts of his cabinet, calls for his resignation have continued to dominate public discourse.
This year, the administration appears determined to avoid another political crisis, both by softening the bill and carefully managing its presentation to the public.
The Finance Bill 2025 will undergo parliamentary debates and public consultations in the coming weeks. Whether the revamped communication strategy succeeds in calming tensions or whether deeper structural changes are needed remains to be seen.