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More tech-savvy than their seniors, Generation Z (Gen Z) has come out as a demographic seeking attention, especially on political matters, accusing older generations of having let down Kenya.

Born after 1996, the digital generation has dispensed with the narrative that anti-government protests are the reserve of Opposition leaders and the riff-raff of Kibera, Mathare, Kawangware and other low-income areas of Nairobi.

Armed with smartphones, vuvuzelas and banners with anti-government messages, the digital natives have sounded the alarm that the chapter of ethnic politics in Kenya has ended and a solid movement is due to take over the era of championing for what is right.

What started off as a simple sit-in outside Parliament on Tuesday last week when the National Assembly’s Finance Committee was scheduled to table the 2024 Finance Bill has now morphed into a major protest that some political analysts are predicting could turn into a revolution.

“The fact that the protests are taking place in all major towns in the country sends a major signal to the authorities that they need to go back to the drawing board and ask themselves where they have gone wrong,”says Prof Macharia Munene, a political analyst and a lecturer at USIU-Africa.

“The President needs not only to listen to the people, but hire new advisers.”

Fed up

The new wave spawned by the protesters, Munene says, could indicate a looming political revolution as the masses are fed up with a system that contradicts itself on everything, does not keep its word, looks down upon voters and only listens to the international community.

“It is a time bomb that has been simmering for some time. The youth are fed up over the empty promises and the contempt with which they are held by the system that sees them as not bothered with politics. They are now flexing their muscles,” Munene says.

The wave generated by young people may engulf almost all politicians aligned to the government, says Prof Herman Manyora, an analyst who teaches at the University of Nairobi.

“It is taking a dangerous turn and those politicians who fail to read the writing on the wall may not retain their seats in 2027,” Manyora says.

“The most interesting phenomenon is that though they do not have any centralised leadership or command, they have a common agenda and their messages are homogeneous.”

‘Occupy Parliament’

The “Occupy Parliament” movement began with a single tweet from Shadrack Kiprono, who, alongside a friend, triggered the bullet that has since morphed into a fierce fire spreading across all major towns in Kenya.

Kiprono, a data scientist, revealed yesterday that he just wanted to express his annoyance on social media on June 16, a decision that within no time saw his tweet go viral, attracting massive support from netizens.

“I used data to let out my thoughts. It started with a simple tweet with a friend of mine. The tweet unexpectedly went viral,” he says.

“I was sitting near the Capital Centre and alongside a friend decided to print flyers and give them out. We tweeted that and within no time, people started sending us money to print more.

“We had to move to the [Nairobi city centre], where the movement actually started. I started shouting and a few people joined in.”

The ongoing protests are peaceful and police have no reason to stop them, says Wanjira Wanjiru, an activist who runs a social justice centre in Mathare, Nairobi.

No specific leader

The demonstrations, she says, were organic as there was no specific leader issuing instructions or planning them but thousands of tired Kenyans who decided to mobilise each other to come out.

“The nature of protests in this country is changing and people are taking back the power in their hands,” she says.

“I have been protesting for the last 10 years. But this time around, we do not want this finance bill, we do not want its amendments, we simply do not want any more tax.

“We cannot afford it, we do not want to hear anything about it. We want the bill to be completely taken off the table. Gen Zs can form their own political party and it is a discussion that is already ongoing.”

Unlike previous methods of protesting to keep the government in check, the new Gen Z style of voicing concerns is free of confrontations and does not encourage destruction of property on the streets.

Besides sending messages to MPs on their phones, the youth have also threatened to launch aggressive campaigns in 2027 against legislators perceived to have been against their cause.

Previous anti-government protests, many led by Opposition leader Raila Odinga, the Gen Z protests have not been characterised by muggings, destruction of property and stone-throwing.

No looting

Moreover, the new way of pushing the government to do things right was not affiliated to any political grouping or ethnic alignments, signalling that Gen Z are ready to die for their rights, their backgrounds notwithstanding.

Since last Tuesday, social media has been awash with images of the young radicals boldly calling out the government without looting or violence from protesters.

The young people used slang chants that are only Gen Zs can understand, including “Kwani Tuesinyeshe” (we should not experience menstruation?), a slogan used to express opposition to a proposed tax on sanitary pads.

Kenyans online acknowledged the possibility that Gen Z will be the voice to advocate for permanent change in Kenya given their bravery and resilience.

They caught the attention of Odinga after a young protester claimed to be representing him during the protests.

Agwambo, stay home

In a video clip that has since been widely shared, the female protester praised the former prime Minister for his role in championing the rights of citizens.

“Agwambo, this is a message for you,” a TikToker known only as @doitlikeanini said in the video.

“Usitokee, we saw what you did for Kenya; stay at home, and let us … tunatoka on your behalf.”

Odinga responded, saying: “I’m a very proud father today!

“Hongera sana to the young lady and all those who bravely stood up for their rights!” Odinga captioned a video on X.

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi shared on X: “We need to meet with #GenZ to draft a proper #FinanceBill to show Ruto how to run a country. Kenya needs a renaissance.”

The anti-Finance Bill 2024 movement that started with a single tweet before it spread to other social media pages such as TikTok has morphed into a spontaneous rebellion – without being organised by politicians.

Angered by the government’s failure to back down on some punitive tax proposals that could ‘milk Kenyans dry’, the young protesters braved the police, teargas and arrests to, in one accord, voice their concerns.

In a well-coordinated movement dubbed ‘Occupy Parliament’, youthful protesters brought activities near the House to a standstill and together expressed their discontent over the running of the country’s affairs.

While some defied the confrontational environment in the streets, others, armed with hashtags and memes remained at their homes and, using their phones and laptop keyboards, flickered anti-government messages all over social media.it,