As the world witnesses a wave of youth-led movements and protests, Generation Z in Kenya is making its voice heard. Born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, this generation has grown up in a rapidly changing world, shaped by the internet, social media, and a heightened awareness of global issues. In Kenya, the protests led by this group are reflective of their unique experiences, frustrations, and aspirations within a local context.
The Digital Generation
Unlike their predecessors, Gen Z Kenyans have grown up in an era of unprecedented access to information. While older generations relied on newspapers, radio, and television for news, Gen Z has access to a global digital village. And they are not just passive consumers of information—they actively participate in it. Platforms like Twitter (now X), Instagram, and TikTok have become both social spaces and tools for activism. Hashtags such as #EndPoliceBrutalityKE, #SaveOurForests, and #FreeTheYouth have trended multiple times, bringing local issues into the global conversation.
This digital fluency has allowed them to challenge traditional power structures and hold leaders accountable in ways that previous generations couldn’t. The youth no longer wait for mainstream media to pick up a story; instead, they create their own narratives, livestream protests, and raise awareness through viral posts. However, with the rise of digital activism comes a unique set of challenges, including online surveillance, censorship, and the spreading of misinformation.
Unemployment and Economic Inequality
One of the driving forces behind many Gen Z protests in Kenya is frustration with unemployment and economic inequality. Despite being more educated and digitally savvy than previous generations, many young Kenyans struggle to find stable jobs. The job market is saturated, and the formal employment sector often favours those with connections rather than merit.
Gen Z, born into an increasingly neoliberal economy, has been sold dreams of upward mobility through education and innovation. Yet, upon completing their studies, many find themselves stuck in cycles of underemployment or forced to turn to the informal sector, where jobs are often unstable and poorly paid. This sense of disillusionment has fueled protests, with youth calling for more government intervention in creating job opportunities and addressing the systemic corruption that stifles growth.
Climate Change and Environmental Activism
Another key issue for Gen Z in Kenya is climate change and environmental conservation. Kenya’s diverse landscapes, from its forests to its coastline, are under threat due to deforestation, pollution, and poor waste management. Young people have taken it upon themselves to advocate for environmental justice, organizing clean-up drives, tree-planting initiatives, and climate strikes.
While Kenya has been lauded globally for its push towards renewable energy, such as geothermal and wind power, many Gen Z activists argue that more needs to be done at the grassroots level. Their protests are not just about advocating for policy change, but also about educating their peers and communities on sustainable practices and holding corporations accountable for their environmental impact.
Police Brutality and the Quest for Justice
The issue of police brutality is another flashpoint for Gen Z protests in Kenya. Over the years, numerous cases of extrajudicial killings, harassment, and abuse of power by the police have been documented. During the COVID-19 pandemic, curfews and lockdowns gave the police even more authority to enforce restrictions, leading to several incidents of excessive force, especially in poorer urban areas.
Gen Z, armed with smartphones and the ability to record and share videos instantly, has been instrumental in highlighting cases of police brutality that might otherwise have gone unnoticed. The #EndSARS movement in Nigeria, which went viral globally, inspired similar movements across Africa, including Kenya. Young Kenyans are calling for an overhaul of the police system, better training, and more accountability for those who misuse their power.
The Struggle for LGBTQ+ Rights
LGBTQ+ rights remain a deeply contentious issue in Kenya, where homosexuality is still criminalized under colonial-era laws. Gen Z, however, is more open and accepting of diverse identities than previous generations. This generation has been at the forefront of advocating for the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, despite facing significant pushback from both the government and conservative elements within society.
Protests and online campaigns for LGBTQ+ rights, though often met with hostility, are slowly pushing the conversation forward. This is not without risk; many young activists face threats, intimidation, and even violence for their advocacy. Nonetheless, their persistence is slowly challenging the status quo, as they demand equal rights and recognition for all Kenyans, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Conclusion: A Generation Defining Its Future
Kenya’s Gen Z is a generation defined by resilience, creativity, and a refusal to accept the status quo. Through protests, both online and in the streets, they are challenging systems of oppression, advocating for a more equitable society, and reimagining what it means to be Kenyan in the 21st century.
However, this generation’s fight is not without challenges. The government has, at times, responded to protests with repression, including arrests and intimidation. Additionally, the digital space that Gen Z so heavily relies on is increasingly under threat from new regulations aimed at controlling online expression.
Yet, despite these challenges, Kenya’s Gen Z remains undeterred. They are aware that their future is at stake, and they are determined to shape it. For them, protest is not just an act of defiance—it is an expression of hope for a better tomorrow.
By Cyrus Wanjohi