By Aggrey Baba
Kenya’s Parliament is grappling with the aftermath of the June 25 protests that saw demonstrators storm the National Assembly chambers in Nairobi, a moment that has shaken the institution to its core and exposed longstanding weaknesses in public communication.
The Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Samuel Njoroge, has admitted that the crisis could have been avoided if Parliament had done a better job of informing citizens (especially young people) about the Finance Bill 2024 and the broader national budget process.
“We failed in our messaging,” Mr. Njoroge said during a detailed interview with the Nation, adding that their communication on the Finance Bill, and the fact that Parliament had adopted most of the public’s input, was not effective. As a result, a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding spread.
The June 25 incident followed weeks of mounting tension over the Finance Bill, which included new tax proposals that many Kenyans saw as burdensome. But the Clerk believes the protest was not just about the Bill itself.
“There were many issues that came together on that day. It would be wrong to think this was purely about one piece of legislation. What happened reflects a deeper frustration with how Parliament communicates and engages with the public,” explained.
Mr. Njoroge, who has served Parliament for over two decades, described June 25 as the lowest point in his career, saying it was an unprecedented incident that lowered the esteem of the legislature as an institution. He added that for the first time, the public viewed Parliament not as their representative but as part of the problem.
The protest was largely driven by Kenya’s younger generation (popularly known as Gen Z) who organised nationwide demonstrations through social media platforms like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter).
Despite warnings and heavy police presence, they took to the streets in major towns across the country, forcing Parliament to confront their influence.
In response, Parliament is now adopting a range of reforms aimed at improving public participation and demystifying the law-making process.
One major change is the introduction of digital access tools such as QR codes printed on Bills, allowing citizens to scan and read proposed laws on their mobile phones. In addition, the National Assembly has begun producing simplified summaries, or explainers, for each Bill (written in everyday language and translated into Kiswahili for wider reach).
Mr. Njoroge said the House is also relying more on social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and X to engage with young people in real time. “These platforms have become vital spaces where we can explain legislation, receive feedback, and clarify confusion.”
Furthermore, to strengthen outreach beyond urban centres, the Assembly is using constituency offices to hold public discussions at the grassroots, forums which allow citizens to understand legislative proposals and express concerns before laws are passed.
In his remarks, Mr. Njoroge acknowledged the growing role of young people in civic life, saying his house has Members of Parliament who are themselves Gen Z, and they engage with this demographic every day. “Their voices matter, and Parliament is adjusting to include them in the national conversation,” he added.
He also clarified that while the Finance Bill attracted the most attention, Parliament was considering over 80 pieces of legislation during that period. “It’s unfortunate that all our work was reduced to a single Bill. But we understand why that happened. It was the one that directly affected people’s pockets.”
Despite efforts to repair the damage, both literally and metaphorically, the events of June 25 have left a lasting mark. Although the physical damage to Parliament’s buildings was covered by insurance, Mr. Njoroge said the greatest cost was human (the injuries sustained and lives lost during the protests).
“No amount of money can compare to the lives affected that day. We mourn with the families, and we hope such a situation never repeats itself,” he said.
The Clerk emphasized that Parliament is committed to transparency, openness, and responsiveness going forward. But observers say the institution faces a long road to rebuilding public trust, especially among the country’s younger, more vocal citizens.
In a country where civic engagement has traditionally been low, the Gen Z-led movement has forced the government to re-examine how it governs, communicates, and listens.
For the National Assembly, it is no longer enough to pass laws, and the people now demand to be part of the process.
