This report examines the recent youth protests in Kenya that began in June 2024, unprecedented in their countrywide mobilisation and political impact. Triggered by massive planned tax hikes and rage at the broken promises and excesses of profligate politicians, the Gen Z movement uses social media to deploy their message and demand accountability and integrity by their leaders. The government resorted to killings, torture and abductions to try and identify the organisers of what is termed a leaderless movement, but has lacked the strategy and skills to handle the crisis.
The Gen Z protests caught many flat-footed; although in truth it has been years in the making on a continent where 70% of the population is now below the age of thirty. A rapidly urbanising and educating youth has increasingly defected from elective politics that have failed to deliver jobs and livelihoods. They have taken to the streets instead to force change on old systems and aging regimes.
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