In recent years, social media has revolutionised the way Kenyans engage with politics, social issues, and each other. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and even advanced tools like ChatGPT and AI image creation apps have become central to digital activism.

This transformation has been particularly evident among Generation Z and millennials, who have leveraged these platforms to rally against policies they oppose and to advocate for change. The recent uproar over the Finance Bill 2024 is a testament to their digital prowess and the power of social media.

“We are the digital generation. Our voices are louder online, and we are using this power to demand change,” says Njeri Mwangi, a prominent youth activist involved in the RejectFinanceBill2024 movement. Her sentiments echo those of many young Kenyans who feel that traditional means of protest are no longer sufficient.

Politicians, too, have taken note. “Social media has given the youth a powerful platform to express their frustrations and aspirations. We must listen,” remarks Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka. The rapid mobilisation and widespread support for movements like RejectFinanceBill2024 and #OccupyParliament, demonstrate the influence these digital tools have in shaping public discourse.

Apps like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X have been instrumental in organising protests, sharing information, and mobilising support. TikTok and X, in particular, have been popular for live broadcasts and short video clips, allowing protesters on the ground to share real-time updates with a global audience.

“Live videos and short clips on TikTok and X have helped us keep the world informed about our struggles and demands,” explains Faith Kilonzo, another activist. The use of AI tools like ChatGPT for drafting statements and generating content has also streamlined the communication efforts of these movements.

The finance bill, described as punitive by Kenyans, sought to raise taxes on essential services and items including diapers, sanitary pads, and internet data. While offered as a solution to lower Kenya’s national debt, the bill came at a time when the country’s youth – Kenya and Africa’s largest demographic – were grappling with unemployment and the highest inflation rate in decades.

The bill was meant to raise domestic revenue by Sh353.7 billion but came on the heels of a series of other taxes, including the controversial Housing Levy, which imposes a mandatory 1.5 percent on all salaried employees to help pay for affordable housing in the country.

The movement against the bill was born in digital spaces. On the first day of protests, X, Instagram, and TikTok featured young protesters gathering in highly organised and well-curated, peaceful demonstrations on the streets of downtown Nairobi and in other urban centres across the country. Resplendent and highly photogenic, trendy, and in colourful attire, protesters held placards and carried the Kenyan flag in a carefully choreographed show of unity and solidarity not seen before in Kenya. The protesters used the hashtag #RejectFinanceBill2024 and popularised the slogan, “Rage and Courage”. The protests soon became known as the Gen Z Protest, reflecting the demographic and the protesters’ digital skills.

The potential for platforms like Twitter Spaces to facilitate direct conversations between the President and the youth is immense.
President William Ruto’s willingness to use such tools could signify a new era of political engagement. “Reaching out to the youth via Twitter Spaces could bridge the gap between the government and the young population, making governance more inclusive,” suggests political analyst Mary Wanjiru.

Social media platforms have given a voice to the youth and will allow them to drive significant change.

— The writer is a Mass Media and Communication student at Mount Kenya University