Kenya’s Gen Z Rise: From Protest Casualties to a Force That Could Redefine the Next Election
Kenya’s young generation has taken centre stage in the country’s political struggle, with recent protests against punitive taxation, corruption and poor governance leading to deadly confrontations with security forces. Dozens of young demonstrators, many of them from Generation Z, were killed during nationwide rallies, sparking outrage at home and abroad over the government’s heavy-handed response. The protests, which swept through major towns and cities, were largely leaderless but highly coordinated through social media platforms. Young Kenyans mobilised to oppose a raft of new taxes they said would further squeeze a population already struggling with high living costs and limited job opportunities. What began as peaceful demonstrations soon escalated after police cracked down, leaving a trail of casualties and deepening mistrust between the government and its youngest citizens.
President William Ruto’s administration has faced criticism for appearing out of touch with the frustrations of the youth, who make up more than 70 percent of Kenya’s population. Many of them see their future clouded by unemployment, runaway graft and a political class they accuse of enriching itself at the expense of ordinary citizens. The deaths of protesters have sharpened that anger, giving rise to calls for accountability and justice. The tragedy has also reshaped Kenya’s political landscape. Analysts say the next general election will likely be determined by the youth vote, given the demographic weight of Gen Z and millennials. Unlike previous generations, this bloc has demonstrated an unprecedented willingness to mobilise both online and in the streets, unafraid to directly confront the state.
Young Kenyans now face a defining choice: whether to channel their discontent into sustained political action that could bring about change at the ballot box. For many, the possibility of electing leaders who reflect their aspirations—greater transparency, fairness in taxation, job creation and stronger democratic safeguards—is seen as the most powerful way to honour those who lost their lives in the protests. The deaths have galvanised a sense of urgency among Kenya’s youth, who are increasingly rejecting traditional ethnic-based politics in favour of issues-based movements. This marks a potential turning point in the country’s political history, with a generation that has grown up digitally connected and globally aware insisting that their voices cannot be ignored.