A year after Kenya's Gen Z protests swept the country, the government is still using violence to quell dissent but that is not stopping the youth.

Nairobi

Youth-led protests have become increasingly prominent across Africa, with recent movements in Kenya highlighting a shift in political activism. These protests, often met with government resistance and violence, are driven by demands for good governance and dissatisfaction with the state of democracy. In Kenya, the Gen Z-led demonstrations against a new tax bill resulted in significant casualties and detentions, yet have sparked greater youth participation in national discourse.

The Gen Z movement has changed the nature of activism, moving away from traditional affiliations such as party loyalty or tribalism. Young people in various Kenyan cities, previously disengaged from politics, are now actively involved in shaping the country's political future. This trend reflects a broader transformation in how African youth approach activism and demand accountability from their governments.

How Gen Z protests change activism in Kenya

Youth-led protests have erupted across Africa, from Egypt to Sudan and Kenya, and have often been met with violence as governments attempt to silence dissent. A common demand among these youth protests is for good governance. However, democracy on the continent often exists more in appearance than in practice. According to Afrobarometer surveys, about 60% of young Africans express dissatisfaction with their democracies. Despite this discontent, young people are typically less likely than older generations to engage in activities that promote change, such as voting or activism. But this trend is changing. In Nigeria, for instance, young people mobilized during the 2020 Hashtag End SARS protest against police harassment. What began as a peaceful protest escalated into violence after the military was deployed, resulting in the tragic Leki massacre. While several commissions were established to investigate the incident, it remains unclear whether any of the security personnel involved faced consequences for their actions. A similar situation is evident in Kenya, where protests erupted in June 2024 against a new tax bill. During these demonstrations, about 60 people lost their lives, and many were arbitrarily detained. A year later, no state security agents have been convicted, although some are currently on trial. Nonetheless, the so-called Gen Z protest movement has significantly changed youth activism across Kenya. In places like Nyeri, Nakuru, Kisumu, Mombasa, and Eldoret, young people who had previously felt politically sidelined have become active participants in national discourse. The protests redefined what it means to be politically active in Kenya, no longer tied to party loyalty or tribalism.

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