Do the youth hold the power in Kenya?

This generation, once apathetic towards electoral processes, has now become a powerful force protesting against the mounting cost of living. Our nation is in turmoil as a significant portion of the younger population takes to the streets in vocal opposition to the Finance Bill 2024. Do the youth hold the power in Kenya? Their main worry is that passing this legislation will deeply impact Kenyans’ quality of life. Meanwhile, the older generation, fondly calling the youth “watoto,” find themselves puzzled by their mobilization efforts.

The older generation is particularly astonished that today’s youth not only find time but also have the determination to grasp the complexities of the finance bill amidst what they perceive as excessive social media use. Their steadfast rejection of the finance bill is both surprising and unwavering.

Pressure is mounting to uncover the sponsors of these protests. Interestingly, reports from Kenyans on X suggest that no sponsors back their movement. Instead, it is an alliance of disillusioned young people reacting to current political leadership.

Despite the government’s persistent efforts to suppress these demonstrations, Generation Z continues to gather in large numbers, fueled by their resolute beliefs. Even President His Excellency Dr. William Samoei Ruto’s call for youth input on the finance bill did not diminish their determination.

In response to the recent call for public input on the finance bill, some young individuals formed a Gen Z political party. This move sparked mixed reactions and faced scrutiny in today’s prevalent cancel culture. This young generation are also actively holding leaders accountable across various offices.

They leverage social media platforms to amplify their voices, organize demonstrations and document events on the ground. The economic impact of these protests is substantial. Businesses are closing to prevent potential damage and looting, directly affecting the nation’s revenue stream.

The 2014 Burkina Faso uprising, sparked by attempts to extend President Blaise Compaoré’s 27-year rule through constitutional amendments, draws parallels to Kenya’s current situation. Are we witnessing a similar wave of youth protests across every town in Kenya?

On June 25th, 2024, protests continued in towns across the country. During this time, the youth achieved the remarkable feat of taking control of parliament, which was previously considered impossible. Despite facing police gunfire, they breached parliament and are now aiming to occupy State House in their next demonstrations. The question remains: can they succeed in this next endeavor?

This situation underscores the vital importance of understanding public sentiment through initiatives like public opinion research conducted by Research 8020 Limited, which could have potentially mitigated the current unrest.

To restore stability, the government must seriously reconsider the implications of the finance bill. Failure to do so risks not only further economic disruption but also undermines public trust in governmental processes. This jeopardizes our country’s long-term economic stability and revenue potential.