On 25 June 2024, Kenya witnessed a moment that will be remembered for years to come. Across cities and towns, a youthful voice rose and it is undisputed that this Gen Z awakening was a powerful reminder that citizens expect fairness, accountability, and transparency in the management of public finances. The moment challenged the way public policy is conceived, communicated, and executed. The protests were more than a reaction to specific tax proposals; they were a call for a new social contract, demanding that public sentiment serves as the compass guiding national decisions.
The rejection of key revenue measures forced a recalibration of Kenya’s fiscal framework. In response, the National Treasury unveiled MTP IV, 2023–2027, initiating a fiscal consolidation agenda focused on broadening the tax base, reducing reliance on debt, and adopting innovative, sustainable approaches to financing national development. This was not mere technical adjustment but was a pivotal shift, aligning planning and resource mobilization with economic realities and societal expectations, anchored in zero-based budgeting.
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position: absolute;
top: -80px;
left: 0;
width: 100%;
height: 60px;
z-index: 1;
background: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0), rgba(255, 255, 255, 1));
}
.paywall-container {
position: relative;
max-width: 100%;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 25px;
border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;
border-radius: 8px;
box-shadow: 0 2px 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
background-color: #ffffff;
}
.paywall-header {
font-size: 24px;
font-weight: bold;
margin-bottom: 15px;
color: #333333;
text-align: center;
}
.price-highlight {
font-size: 20px;
font-weight: bold;
color: #d40511;
margin: 15px 0;
text-align: center;
}
.subscribe-button-green {
width: 70%;
padding: 12px;
background-color: #EE193A !important;
color: white;
border: none;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 23px;
font-weight: bold;
cursor: pointer;
margin-bottom: 20px;
transition: background-color 0.3s;
text-decoration: none;
text-align: center;
}
.subscribe-button-green:hover {
background-color: #b0030e;
}
.features-list {
margin: 20px 0;
padding-left: 20px;
list-style: none;
}
.features-list li {
margin-bottom: 10px;
position: relative;
padding-left: 25px;
}
.features-list li:before {
content: “✓”;
color: #d40511;
position: absolute;
left: 0;
font-weight: bold;
}
.countdown {
display: flex;
gap: 15px;
justify-content: center;
margin: 20px auto;
text-align: center;
}
.countdown div {
background: #f5f5f5;
padding: 10px;
border-radius: 6px;
min-width: 60px;
}
.countdown .num {
font-size: 22px;
font-weight: bold;
color: #d40511;
}
.countdown .label {
font-size: 12px;
color: #555;
}
@media (max-width: 768px) {
.subscribe-button-green {
width: 100% !important;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
}
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`;
} else {
teaserEl.innerHTML = “”;
}
activeEl.innerHTML = “”;
paywallEl.style.display = “block”;
} else if (now >= saleStart && now <= saleEnd) { paywallEl.style.display = "none"; var diffToEnd = saleEnd - now; var totalSeconds = Math.floor(diffToEnd / 1000); var days = Math.floor(totalSeconds / (24 * 3600)); var hours = Math.floor((totalSeconds % (24 * 3600)) / 3600); var minutes = Math.floor((totalSeconds % 3600) / 60); var seconds = totalSeconds % 60; activeEl.innerHTML = `
Offer ends in…
${days}Days
${String(hours).padStart(2,’0′)}Hours
${String(minutes).padStart(2,’0′)}Minutes
${String(seconds).padStart(2,’0′)}Seconds
Subscribe Now & Save
`;
} else {
teaserEl.innerHTML = “”;
activeEl.innerHTML = “”;
paywallEl.style.display = “block”;
}
}
function formatTime(ms) {
let totalSeconds = Math.floor(ms / 1000);
const days = Math.floor(totalSeconds / (3600 * 24));
totalSeconds %= 3600 * 24;
const hours = Math.floor(totalSeconds / 3600);
totalSeconds %= 3600;
const minutes = Math.floor(totalSeconds / 60);
const seconds = totalSeconds % 60;
return `${days}d ${hours}h ${minutes}m ${seconds}s`;
}
updateFlashSale();
setInterval(updateFlashSale, 1000);
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By John Mbadi
