Three Kenyan women currently living in the United Kingdom have decided to return to Nairobi on Tuesday to join the ongoing protests led by Generation Z against the government of President William Ruto.

These demonstrations, which have gained momentum in recent weeks, are rooted in concerns over governance issues plaguing the current leadership. The origins of these protests can be traced back to the controversial Finance Bill 2024. Initially, Kenyans pleaded with President Ruto not to sign the bill, which had already been approved by parliament. The situation quickly escalated, culminating in widespread street demonstrations with protesters storming parliament buildings.

The government eventually withdrew the controversial bill in response to mounting pressure. Despite this concession, the protests have continued, with Kenyans remaining steadfast in their quest for change. The protesters have since formulated a series of specific demands that they expect President Ruto and his government to address in depth before they consider ceasing their activism. This coming Tuesday marks a significant escalation in the protest movement, as Generation Z protesters have vowed to gather in Nairobi’s business district.

Their primary goal is to voice their opposition to President Ruto’s newly nominated cabinet members. Inspired by these events, UK-based Kenyans Sharon, Jennifer and Nicole have decided to book flights and join their fellow citizens in the fight for better governance.

“It is an awakening, we are choosing our next leaders. We are tired of corruption and bad leadership. We have read books like Kifo Kisimani, Utengano, Waziri Wa Mayai, and others, and we want to implement it at home. It is not our wish that our country is on fire, but if things are bad, we want the reset to happen immediately rather than the suffering to last a long time,” says Nicole.

On Saturday, Kenyans gathered outside the offices of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington DC to voice their dissent. The protesters, wearing the national colors, chanted anti-IMF slogans and played Kenyan music to draw attention to their cause. They carried placards accusing the IMF of meddling in Kenya’s internal affairs and demanded accountability for the violence that occurred during recent demonstrations. The protesters argued that the IMF’s loans were saddling Kenya with unsustainable debt, rather than promoting development.