Manyatta MP reflects on supporting Gen Zs and defying party lines on Finance Bill
Manyatta Member of Parliament Gitonga Mukunji opened up on the daunting task he faced while taking a stand with the Kenyan Gen Zs and voting against the controversial Finance Bill in 2024.
Speaking during a live interview on Monday, March 3, 2025, Mukunji shared insights on several issues including legislating, the workings of the Young Parliamentarians Caucus which he serves as the chairman and seeing fellow MPs struggle in their support for the Finance bill.
The Kenyan youthful population birthed and spearheaded the anti-government protest over the controversial bill in June 2024, prompting President William Ruto to decline to ascent to the bill after the nationwide protest.
Speaking on the events, the UDA-allied MP reflected that the period was a test of one’s leadership and conscience when faced with the choice to either follow party lines or stand with the people.
Guts
“It takes a lot of guts to go against the party line. Many of us have had it rough defying this but it is what leadership involves: a lot of compromise. We have to look at the best way to handle it when such cases arise,” he said.
“We had an incident when the finance bill 2024 came; as chair, I was in a quagmire. I thought if I mobilise young MPs, then I would be seen to be fighting my party’s position. Ultimately, if you go to the records, many made a decision, stood with people and voted No. Quite a number including myself voted did it against what the party and party bosses wanted,” he added.
The MP further admitted that their stance against the unpopular bill marked the start of an adversarial relationship with some figures inside the government circles.
“Of course, We have not had it easy with the administration since. But it is what leadership requires one to do. Look for what is right for people and right for the country,” he observed.
Mukunji also recalled how other MPs failed the leadership test and were at pains in their support for the bill on the floor of the house.
“I saw some members in the house almost crying when it was announced they had to say yes in front of the camera. They wanted to use the carts. It was something that you feel your people were really against” he recalled.
Young parliamentarians mandate
The MP further opened up on the constitution and challenges facing the young parliamentarian body which he serves as the chair.
The body’s main role lies in advocating and empowering emerging leaders, especially those starting their leadership journey.
The young parliamentarians hold together a caucus for the young MPs below 40 in parliament and the senate.
“We empower each other to gain knowledge on leadership issues. We are bipartisan when we caucus, we don’t look at our party lines during our caucuses. Our focus is on things that touch all of us. It is the most interesting part of this caucus. We talk things touching on people and supporting each other without considering whether Raila or Ruto support such matters”
On the challenge of age, Mukunji said:
“We can have less than 10 in that bracket (less than 35 years of age). We need to ensure we get more members in the age bracket of young people. Currently, for 40 years of age, we have about 62 members. It’s a number that gets things moving and done,” Mukunji revealed.
