- Youth-led movements have been a common recurring factor throughout history, young Kenyans have always spoken truth to power, and it is important to underscore this historical fact. This one comes with a resolve for change.
- These protests started organically, and there is no doubt that they have achieved their primary goal: the rejection of the Finance Bill 2024.
Image: FILE
In the wake of the three-week-long #RejectFinanceBill2024 protests in Kenya, it is clear that Generation Z is back at the strategy table.
My intention in writing this article is to highlight how social media spaces have enabled young people to engage Kenyan leadership and demand changes in policy, I also wish to emphasise how extensive fake news, misinformation and disinformation campaigns have not deterred and will not deter the sheer passion of youthful movements.
Youth-led movements have been a common recurring factor throughout history, young Kenyans have always spoken truth to power, and it is important to underscore this historical fact. This one comes with a resolve for change.
I attended the "Reshaping Revolution" X Space on the night of July 2, 2024, along with 25,000 other Kenyans—mostly Gen Z and Millennials, but also some government officials. As a Millennial myself, I write this article to share my perspective.
Amidst a sea of information and misinformation, I have come across numerous WhatsApp ‘forwards” comparing the presidencies of Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto, claiming that Ruto's presidency has been more beneficial for the country and the economy.
Other ‘forwards’ accuse Gen Z of lying about being leaderless. These are mere PR stunts, propaganda efforts by the government to salvage a faltering presidency.
None of this will save face at this late stage. The Gen Z protesters were indeed leaderless, fearless, and tribeless. Anyone who refutes this is merely avoiding the truth.
These protests started organically, and there is no doubt that they have achieved their primary goal: the rejection of the Finance Bill 2024.
We see a desperate generation fearful that retreating will hinder their progress. It is perfectly normal for a protest to evolve after achieving its initial purpose. In this case, Gen Z now demands that President Ruto address corruption within his cabinet.
They believe the president appointed his cabinet based on loyalty rather than qualifications and experience needed to steer Kenya in the right direction. Given Kenya's corruption scale and the opulence flaunted by government officials, it is evident that President Ruto could have done better.
Moving forward the president can expect more Protests like #ReconstituteIEBC, #MithikaLinturiMustGo #BoycotSafaricom2024 as it was clear from the “Reshaping Revolution” X Space, the youth want to ensure that protests moving forward have an agenda and one they can measure an outcome like they did with the #RejectFinanceBill2024.
Gen Z wants real change and will not settle for less. By now, Ruto should have initiated a major cabinet reshuffle and removed officials implicated in corruption scandals, like Mithika Linturi, the CS for Agriculture. Keeping these individuals will not save Ruto's reputation and Presidency.
Returning to the "Reshaping Revolution" X Space, Ruto must not underestimate the platform's power to mobilise the youth. Last night, young people had candid discussions about reshaping the revolution and strategies such as boycotting certain mobile phone service providers in favour of other providers.
I urge President Ruto to be a strategic leader. His communications team has failed him, becoming complacent and neglecting their duties. The team had every resource available but still performed poorly, or perhaps the president ignored their advice.
How else can you explain having a director of messaging when the president's interview indicated he still did not understand the youth's message?
Mr President, it appears you've missed the mark in connecting with the people's sentiments.
Your televised interview on June 30 was marred by apparent untruths, reflecting a failure to acknowledge changing times. As I watched alongside my Generation Alpha son, his innocent question—"Mommy, do people actually believe him?"—highlighted a disconnect even a ten-year-old could see: a gap between leadership rhetoric and public perception.
Your reluctance to take responsibility for your cabinet's performance, merely stating "they could have done better," contrasts sharply with the reality of their opulence and unconstitutional offices, a disparity that could ease Kenya's mounting debt burden
. Acknowledging your communications team's failures, I echo your sentiment. We saw some members of your communications team in the X Spaces; did they fail to grasp the power of the digital landscape that Gen Z is utilising and relay their message to you?
Forgive my focus on the president's communications and media team—this is my profession, and it was poorly handled. The team's failure to grasp and convey Gen Z's sentiments reflects a critical oversight.
Your interview further catalysed widespread discontent among Gen Z, Millennials, Gen Alpha, Gen X, and even Baby Boomers, exacerbating tensions rather than easing them.
Mr President, perhaps it is time to step aside, allowing new leadership to guide the nation toward reconciliation and progress. Your televised ignorance of police brutality amplified public dismay. Can a president genuinely claim not to know?
In hindsight, it was clear your communications team failed to prepare you with a mock interview for the rigorous questioning by Eric Latiff, Linus Kaikai, and Joe Ageyo. The nation needs leadership that listens and responds effectively to its diverse populace's aspirations and concerns.
Looking at how things have evolved so far, it is clear that a generation is desperate to be heard and wants tangible change. The voices of this generation cannot be ignored further by leadership, and they have changed the political landscape of Kenya forever.
I urgently urge Kenyans to be vigilant of misinformation targeting the Genz. I truly commend the voice of a generation that has changed Kenya’s political landscape and trajectory for the future!
Joy Buria – A Media and Communications Professional and Scholar based at the University of Cape Town, Joy has just completed a PhD in Media and Communications Studies from the University of Cape Town.