Brian Kaitano, Maseno University Alumni and young voice on Kenyan issues, takes a look at the cost of living crisis that has particularly rocked Kenya this year and explores how governments can work with the young to improve stakeholder participation and effective policy. 

The Cost of Living Crisis in Kenya: Its Impact on young people and how they can participate in policy-making by Brian Kaitano.

The world is suffering a cost of living crisis as inflation has surged and disposable incomes have been squeezed. In 2023, consultants Deloitte polled 22,000 Generation Z (people born between January 1995 and December 2004) and millennial (people born between January 1983 and December 1994) respondents in 44 nations about the effects of soaring prices on their lives on household essentials, including food, mortgages, and rent among others, and found out that the cost of living was number one concern for both groups, ahead of worries of losing their jobs, climate change and mental health. The study found that many were feeling the financial squeeze so acutely that they had to take second jobs to help make ends meet and were pessimistic about their ability to enjoy benefits – like homes and families – taken for granted by previous generations. In short, they have fears and worries they shouldn’t have to have.

In 2023, Kenya`s population was estimated at 54,985,702, with Gen Z being the most populous group with 18,378,493 inhabitants representing 33.42% while millennials at 12,123,453 represented 22.05%. Put together, both generations make up 55.4% of the total population. In addition, 81.06% of Kenyans were estimated to be aged 39 years and below. Gen Z and millennials have a lot of similarities in their characteristics, but their formative years have been shaped by different worlds, resulting in differences in attitudes, interests and opinions. Some of the characteristics of Gen Z, among others, include the following: they are digital natives, connected through social media, pragmatic, influencers, adept researchers, global citizens.

Kenya`s public debt and youth-led protests

Kenyans have been struggling to cope with several economic shocks caused by the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, two consecutive years of drought, and depreciation of the currency among others.

The government of President William Ruto who was elected in 2022 on a platform to uplift lives of the poor, has been caught between the competing demands of lenders such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which is urging the government to cut deficits to obtain more funding, and hard-pressed population. Kenya`s public debt stands at 68% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), higher than the 55% of GDP recommended by the World Bank and IMF. In 2023, the government used the finance bill to introduce a housing tax and raise the top personal income tax rate. This sparked anger, street protests and court challenges. The finance bill was aimed to raise an additional $2.7 billion in tax as part of an effort to lighten Kenyan`s heavy debt load.

Protesters – especially young people – wanted the government to abandon the planned tax hikes, which they urge will choke the economy and raise the cost of living for Kenyans who are already struggling to make ends meet. The proposed measures that have triggered recent protests include new levies on basic commodities like bread, vegetables, oil and sugar and a new motor vehicle circulation tax-pegged at 2.5% of the value of the car to be paid annually. An “eco levy” on most manufactured goods including sanitary towels and diapers was also on the cards. In addition to the new taxes, the bill proposed increments in existing tax taxes on financial transactions. On their hand, the government said that the tax measures were necessary to fund development programs and cut public debt.

The ongoing social media driven protest that lacks clear leadership structure intensified after the passing of the bill by parliament on June 25^th and many young people pledged to keep demonstrating as hundreds of anti-tax protesters entered Kenya`s parliament with part of the building set on fire. President Ruto acknowledged the youth-led protests and pledged to hold dialogue to address their concerns. He also declined to sign the bill and directed it back to the parliament for amendments. In addition, the president dismissed all cabinet secretaries and the attorney general. So far, it is estimated that over 26 people have died and more than 350 injured due anti-tax protests, with numbers likely to rise given the fact that the protests are still ongoing. All in all, it points to continuing clashes between protesters and police in different cities and towns in Kenya.

Do youth demands expect to be successful?

There has been a significant increase in global protests in recent decades, with young people at the forefront. Young people prefer informal to formal political engagement, such as through protests and direct action, and various factors and grievances drive their mobilization. Young people diversify protest tactics and bridge online and offline activism.

As such, their participation could, in theory, contribute to more peaceful and inclusive activism, but even non-violent action faces preventive repression. Moreover, their participation can contribute to protest impact and social change but it might not necessarily produce direct gains. Some of the countries where there have been series of young people protests include Kenya, Taiwan, Bangladesh, the UK, the US, Europe and Australia among others.

Impacts of the cost of living crisis on youths in Kenya and some recommendations

Whilst this has an impact on adults, the cost of living crisis has impacted young people in Kenya in particular in the following ways:

• The high cost of living is negatively affecting young people`s ability to secure stable jobs. A major reason for this is lower wages which businesses pay to younger employees. As a result, young people feel that their time and effort is considered less valued by employers. As such, a solution lies in businesses and political leaders investing to create better jobs and opportunities for young people and equalize wages for all workers of legal adult age.
• Demand for youth mental health services has surged dramatically amid the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing cost of living crisis. Prolonged waiting lines for mental health support, and limited provision in schools and colleges, have left more young people in Kenya grappling with exacerbating mental health challenges struggling alone. This has a detrimental effect on their ability to engage with education and employment opportunities. One way around this is for the government to ensure that schools have a formalized mental health policy and permanent staff dedicated to students’ mental health.
• Digital poverty. This is defined as the inability to interact with the online world fully, when, where and how an individual needs to. The impact was felt more acutely during the COVID-19 pandemic when classes were taught virtually and students who lacked the required devices or had outdated ones couldn’t access online classes. Digital poverty also can also act as a barrier to access employment and other opportunities. The government can ensure that all information and resources related to financial support, employment and education to be available in hardcopy and make sure that digital devices and services are affordable and accessible by all[GT-B1] . This can be made possible by digitally empowering Nyumba Kumi community policing – is a decentralized approach consisting of  cluster of 10 households set up in various parts of the country to reduce crime, disorder and other challenges facing the community.
• Young people from marginalized backgrounds, for example those with disabilities, women, LGBTQ+ folks and those from a lower socio-economic status are at a higher risk of poverty. This is because they are increasingly facing barriers in education and employment opportunities, and that the cost of living crisis has made these barriers “harder to overcome.” One possible solution is for the government to work with local authorities to target support and help young people from disadvantaged communities to access education and employment opportunities.
• Increases in the cost of rent, food and transport pose significant challenges for students in future and higher education. This financial insecurity negatively affects student`s health. The government can increase financial support on education, for example increasing student maintenance programs in line with inflation, perhaps including an increase in student bursaries.

Young voices in policy-making

Many young people in Kenya and around the world feel excluded from policy-making process that directly has an impact on their lives. While there are instances of successful models in other legislatures where young people actively engage with policy-makers, opportunities remain scarce for direct engagement with national policy at both official and ministerial level. The lack of meaningful engagement deprives young people of the chance to voice their perspectives, concerns and aspirations in decision-making. Governments around the world are learning that is essential to listen to and consult young people more to understand the barriers they are facing. The bottom line is that consulting young people on initiatives and policies which affect them could help governments and concerned organizations to target support more effectively.

Cooperation and initiatives under such a policy might include working closely with young people to design, test and iterate policies and services at an early stage. As such, it can be one of the most effective ways to easily create new evidence when there are gaps in knowledge.

Furthermore, governments can provide more opportunities for young people to feed into policy decisions that affect them, including engagement with officials and ministers. Consultations can happen at an early stage in the policymaking process, so that young people`s input can have an impact on formulating policy. Following the consultations, the government can give feedback on how young people`s input has shaped policies, so that young people feel that their voices are valued.

Improved consultation with organizations that support young people on policies, especially with organizations that work with young people from marginalized communities, might be proposed. And finally, why not create a specific and dedicated post of Minister for Young People – as some countries have done – for the specific needs and concerns of young people. It is by listening to, opening up dialogue, working together and having a say in their future that youth will become supporters and not opponents.  

References:

• Association of Kenya Insures (AKI) (December 2021). Information Paper on Generation Z and Insurance.
• Daniel Boffey (April 2024). Revolutions are coming. Who are Youths Demand and what do they want?
• The EastAfrican (June 2024). Kenya Finance Bill: Why has it triggered protests?
• UNICEF (March 2024). Youths, Protests and the Polycrisis.
• World Economic Forum (WEF) (August 2023). How Cost of Living Crisis affects Young People around the world.
• Youth Select Committee 2024 (March 2024). The Impact of the Cost of Cost of Living Crisis on Young People.

Useful links:

• Link up with Brian Kaitano via LinkedIn
• Follow on X (formerly Twitter) @KaitanoBrian
• Read Brian Kaitano’s previous article: Victim-blaming isn’t the solution to the alarming rise in femicide cases in Kenya.

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