Draft:RutoMustGo
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The hashtag #RutoMustGo emerged in Kenya in 2024 as a cry against President William Ruto's administration. The hashtag was a response to the proposed Finance Bill 2024. The bill sought to increase taxes amidst rising living costs. The movement was driven by the Generation Z, who used social media to mobilize and voice their dissent.[1]
Origin
[edit]The hashtag originated in Kenya in mid-2024 as a response to growing public frustration regarding economic hardships and governance concerns. The immediate catalyst for its widespread adoption was the proposed Kenya Finance Bill 2024[2] that sought to introduce new taxes and increase levies on essential goods and services. This sparked outrage among the youth who were already grappling with high unemployment rates and a rising cost of living. The movement was fueled by Generation Z.[3] The Kenyan youths turned to platforms such as X, TikTok, and Instagram to voice their dissent, organize protests, and mobilize support nationwide. #RutoMustGo movement was leaderless and tribeless unlike traditional Kenyan protests which were linked to opposition parties.[4][5]
Impact and reach
[edit]#RutoMustGo saw thousands of young Kenyans defy government warnings to demonstrate in major cities and towns. The movement's leaderless and decentralized nature made it difficult for authorities to suppress. This was largely because the movement relied on digital coordination unlike the traditional political structures.[6][7]
On June 26, 2024, President William Ruto bowed to public pressure and announced that he would not sign the Finance Bill into law, a major victory for the protesters.[8][9][10] Despite that, calls for government accountability, economic reforms, and police accountability continued under the #RutoMustGo banner.[11] The movement’s received solidarity hashtags from Kenyans living abroad as well as youth from countries such as Uganda, Nigeria, and South Africa, reflecting a broader trend of tech-savvy youth challenging traditional governance structures.[12][13]
Response to the hashtag
[edit]President William Ruto addressed the #RutoMustGo movement by affirming that citizens have the constitutional right to express their opinions. He stated, "Everybody is entitled to their opinion. I have a job to do. Citizens are free to engage in any discourse they want. Those are the fruits and signs of a democracy." He further downplayed the hashtag as a "normal song and there is no problem with it".[14]
References
[edit]- ^ "'RutoMustGo': Kenya braces for fresh protests after dozens killed in anti-tax demos". News24. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
- ^ "William Ruto: Kenyan President fires ministers over anti-tax protests". www.bbc.com. 2024-07-11. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
- ^ Chege, Daniel. "Ruto Must Go: Youth-led protests escalate in nightclubs across Kenya". The Standard. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
- ^ Okeyo, Victor (2024-07-18). "'Ruto Must Go!': A Rallying Cry for the Leaderless Protest". Retrieved 2025-03-23.
- ^ "President Ruto Addresses #RutoMustGo Hashtag And Protest-Related Deaths -". 2024-07-01. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
- ^ M, Jack (2024-07-31). "William Ruto Cautions Leaderless, Fearless Gen Z Protesters Against Recklessness | Tukio". tukio.co.ke. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
- ^ Afri (2024-07-31). "Ruto addresses Gen-Zs over leaderless and fearless declaration ahead of NaneNane march". AfrinewsKE. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
- ^ week, Stay up to date on the editors' picks of the (2024-06-26). "President Ruto declines to sign controversial Finance Bill into law". Business Daily. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
{{cite web}}:|first=has generic name (help) - ^ Madowo, Stephanie Busari, Lauren Kent, Nimi Princewill, Larry (2024-06-26). "Kenyan President Ruto withdraws controversial finance bill following deadly protests". CNN. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Musambi, Evelyne (2024-06-26). "Kenya's president says he won't sign finance bill that led protesters to storm parliament". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
- ^ Biko, Steve (2024-06-28). "Kenya's Gen Z Leads a Revolution: A Demand For Justice, Accountability, And Economic Reform". Soko Directory. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
- ^ Verity, Dannie (2024-07-22). "From #HustlerNation to #RutoMustGo | Democracy in Africa". Retrieved 2025-03-23.
- ^ Chege, Daniel. "Ruto Must Go: Youth-led protests escalate in nightclubs across Kenya". The Standard. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
- ^ Leo, Nairobi. "Just a Normal Song - Ruto Responds to 'Ruto Must Go' Chants". Nairobi Leo. Retrieved 2025-04-24.