Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka has exuded confidence in the young generation after they yet again led anti-Finance Bill protests.
Tuesday and Thursday saw young Kenyans take to the streets to express dissatisfaction with the proposed new taxes in the Bill even as MPs defied the dissenting voices and passed the Bill through the Second Reading.
Two hundred and four MPs voted Yes, 115 voted No. There were no abstentions although 30 MPs were not in the House.
The move by youthful Kenyans taking the lead during the protests has won the admiration of many Kenyans including leaders across the country.
Previous demonstrations witnesses in the country were largely dominated by politicians and older people in society.
In a statement on Thursday, Kalonzo said his admiration for the young generation of Kenyans fighting for their rights continues to grow by the day.
"Every hour, my admiration and appreciation for Kenya's #GenZ grows by leaps and bounds," he said.
"From Eldoret to Nairobi, Garissa to Nyeri, Kisumu to Nyeri, Nanyuki to the State House gates in Nakuru and Nairobi, as well as many other parts of the country, you have been conscientious protestors to the Finance Bill, 2024."
He said that despite MPs passing the Finance Bill at the Second Reading phase, the young Kenyans have done their part by expressing their opinion publicly.
Kalonzo called out police officers for allegedly using excessive force on the protesters.
"It is unfortunate that our security officers, who should be safeguarding you, are engaging in acts of intimidation and, when that spectacularly failed, resorted to the use of brutal force against you for peacefully exercising your constitutional rights to picket and demonstrate," he said.
"I have repeatedly termed this Bill unreasonable, unsound, and uncorrectable."
The Bill now proceeds to the Committee of the whole House for consideration of proposed amendments.
The Committee is comprised of the whole membership of the National Assembly.
"Members, the matter of the Finance Bill is now over, we wait for the committee of the whole, those who have amendments to file, clerk and his team will process those amendments," Speaker Moses Wetangu'la said after Thursday's vote.
All this was happening as thousands of Kenyans across the country took to the streets to protest against the Bill's passage.
They said they don't want it amended but rather done away with completely.