Following the June 2024 protests, several Kenyan artists expressed their emotions and captured them in music.
Following the June 2024 protests, several Kenyan artists expressed their emotions and captured them in music.
Starting June 2024, Kenya hit international headlines, with hashtags #RejectFinanceBill2024 and #RutoMustGo trending in over ten countries worldwide, leading to Kenya Anti-Finance Bill Protest songs.
In light of anti-finance bill protests which were organized over social media platforms such as X and TikTok, Kenyan youth took to the streets armed with phones, placards, and water bottles to protest against high taxes and poor governance.
Unlike previous protests of 2023, this one had no backing, was spontaneous, and involved young people. Dubbed the “Gen Z” protest, the protesters had a clear goal which was to REJECT THE FINANCE BILL 2024.
Several artists expressed their emotions and captured them in music.
Here are some Kenya Anti-Finance Bill Protest Songs and freestyles in no particular order:
Freestyled over Kendrick Lamar’s smash hit “Not Like Us,” Sabi Wu came all guns blazing to express his feelings about the finance bill. “Reject Hio Bill” soon gained huge traction on his social media pages, and he made it into a full song, which he eventually uploaded to DSPs.
He later released the music video for the song, shot in the streets during the protest on Tuesday, 25th June 2024. The song was also featured in a Rolling Stone article about the impact of “Not Like Us” in fueling the protests.
Fresh off the first week of protests, Deco did not spare a second, promptly releasing “Whips za Zakayo” featuring Fancy Fingers.
Initially a freestyle that was featured on Street Vybez TV, the verse perfectly fit the context of the 2024 Finance Bill.
“Whips za Zakayo” loosely translates to “Whips for Zakayo,” and Zakayo is a nickname coined for the current Kenyan president due to his tendency to impose high taxes.
Bien needs no introduction. As the creme of the crop of Kenyan artists, he teamed up with Breeder LW to bring us this timeless track.
Not shy of coming out in support of different social causes (rewind to the #ENDFEMICIDEKE march in January), Bien used his voice to express his displeasure with the government.
Interpolating his lyrics from “Lifestyle,”
Maandamano, maandamano, wamepandisha bei ya Ovacado…
He made an entire chorus from that and let Breeder shine on the second verse, in a complete MAANDAMANO banger (no pun intended 😉). Read the full lyrics here.
Arbantone’s finest, Tipsy Gee and Spoiler 4T3, took a break from their usual party-type music and joined the anti-finance bill fight.
“Msitubalance,” loosely translates to “don’t play us,” and was a call to the #RejectFinanceBill2024 movement.
Signed under Hewane Records, Fari Athman was ready to put her vocal range for a noble cause. Releasing “Sisi Ndio Future” after the second week of protests, she sent a clear message in this song.
Titled “Sisi Ndio Future” which means “We are the future,” the song informed the leadership that they should not turn a deaf ear to the Gen Z-led movement.
Released in the first week of the protests, Trio Mio made a call to everyone to come out and let their voices be heard.
Kenyan singer Nadia Mukami was vocal and present throughout the anti-government protests. Together with her hubby Arrow Bwoy, they stood for the cause and set a good example for their fanbase.
In the heat of the protests, Nadia hit the studio and released “Wake Up,” a wake-up to the people against the punitive measures the government was planning to take.
“Wanapanga Kutumaliza” is an interesting song. Initially sung by Pastor James Ng’ang’a of Neno Evangelism, King Kaka (who has in the past been ridiculed by the pastor), took it and made his version.
“Wanapanga Kutumaliza” translates to “They are planning to finish us” which, had the finance bill been passed, would “finish us” due to the heavy taxes imposed on Kenyans.
Sir Bwoy’s “Gen Z” is a song that amplifies the power, grit and desire for change by the Gen-Z movement. In the song, he lashes at the members of parliament who betrayed their constituents by voting for the finance bill.
He later details the cause of action the countrymen will take in the next election.
Artists have a creative license and he used it well 💯.
“Tumechoka.” “We are tired.” That’s it. That’s the message.
One of the consequences of the protests was the unfortunate deaths of innocent Kenyans. Several Kenyans who left their houses did not return as they were shot and killed by the police.
In “Nitawakumbusha,” Phy starts the song by singing,
Mtoto amelazwa mortuary, niliambiwa nikiwa kazi
which translates to,
The child is in the mortuary, I have been informed while at work,
The song portrays the situation of parents losing their children to police brutality.
Featuring Okello Max, the song is a reminder that we will not forget the evil and atrocities committed by the state against its people.
Other notable Kenya Anti-Finance Bill protest songs and freestyles made in support of the anti-finance bill protests include:
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