Nairobi, Kenya - The Youth for Tax Justice Network (YTJN) stands in solidarity with young people across Kenya who gathered peacefully on June 25 to mark one year since the tragic events of June 2024, and to continue calling for justice, good governance and economic accountability. As an organization working to advance and promote working fair and inclusive tax systems for young people across Africa, we are deeply concerned by the continued loss of life, reports of police violence, and the ongoing criminalization of the Kenyan youth voices. These protests reflect a broader frustration with governance systems that feel unresponsive, unequal, unsafe and unsustainable for the future of the youths. The connection is clear: when public resources are not managed transparently or equitably, when debt rises without clear benefit to citizens, and when young people are excluded from decision-making, the result is not just economic strain, it’s public distrust. At YTJN, we believe that young people have a right to participate meaningfully in shaping how their taxes are raised and used, how debt is taken on, and how national priorities are set. We echo the call for: ● Protection of the right to peaceful assembly and expression; in accordance with article 37 of the Kenyan Constitution. ● And greater youth inclusion in public finance decision-making at all levels. This moment reminds us that tax justice is not only about numbers but also about voice, dignity, and the right to be heard. Young people deserve safety. They deserve seats on the table. They deserve a future built on justice and fairness. In solidarity, Youth for Tax Justice Network (YTJN) 📧 info@ytjn.org 🌍 www.ytjn.org
