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Monday marked International Youth Day. The youth, defined by the United Nations as those aged between 15 and 24, represent hope and are the architects of the future.

The theme of this year’s event was “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development”.

Indeed, the recent Gen Z protests in Kenya, notably those sparked by the #Resist hashtag, and other youth-led movements, have showcased the power of the younger generation in several compelling ways.
Through digital mobilisation, Gen Z harnessed social media platforms like X, Facebook and Instagram to organise and amplify their messages.

This digital proficiency allowed them to quickly mobilise large groups, share real-time updates, and engage with a global audience, giving their cause unprecedented visibility.

On issue awareness, these protests focused on pressing issues such as corruption and economic inequality.

By drawing attention to these problems, Gen Z highlighted their concerns and pushed for accountability and reform in ways that traditional methods may not have achieved.

The youth employed innovative and creative protest tactics, from viral hashtags and memes to online petitions and virtual rallies. These methods resonate with their peers and can often circumvent traditional barriers to protest, such as physical roadblocks or restrictions on public gatherings.

Through intersectionality and inclusivity, Gen Z protests embraced a broad range of issues, reflecting a deep understanding of intersectionality. This inclusivity helped to build a coalition of diverse groups united by common goals, making the movement more robust and resilient.

The use of digital tools has also facilitated international solidarity. Kenyan youth have received support from global allies, amplifying their voices and demonstrating the interconnectedness of youth activism around the world.

The visibility and pressure generated by these protests prompted some political leaders to respond with promises of change or reform. While outcomes may vary, the ability to influence political discourse and push for policy changes is a testament to the power of youth activism.

In essence, the Gen Z protests in Kenya exemplified how young people can leverage technology, creativity and solidarity to challenge the status quo and advocate for meaningful change.

The youth of today are a different breed of people from the previous generations. They are global citizens who are not beholden to some of the old socio-cultural idiosyncrasies, prejudices and strongholds that have created conflict between different societies.

They see themselves as a homogenous group divided only by geographical distance and socio-economic status. In fact, they are the best agents of globalisation due to their universal love for interests like music and sports.

But the youth are a restless demographic and have similar characteristics. According to research by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, diversity is their norm, they are the world’s first “digital natives”, they are pragmatic and financially minded, they are prone to mental health challenges, they are shrewd consumers and, they are politically progressive.

Therefore, we need to put the right kind of structures in place to accommodate this population for us to maximise their productivity. It calls for massive investments in education, health, employment and social sectors, among others that have an impact on the youth’s performance and welfare.

The youth are full of copious amounts of energy and creativity which many countries, Kenya included, lack the capacity to exploit due to lack of resources. This has contributed to the spiralling cases of mental health illness among the youth.

— The writer is a PhD student in International Relations