A NEW GENERATION ANNOUNCES THEIR PRESENCE!

 KENYA: A NEW GENERATION ANNOUNCES THEIR ARRIVAL IN POLITICS.

In the past 4 weeks, Kenya has experienced a wave of protests mainly aimed at anti-government policies and new tax proposals. The protests, whose major take away was the occupation of Kenya's parliament on the 25th of June 2024, captured the attention of everyone around the world. Not the efficiency to organise and mobilise, but the drivers of this new waves of protests who are majorly young boys and girls of Kenya. Notably, the Gen-Z generation(1996-2008). These protests which started with the aim of rejecting the government's proposed "Finance Bill 2024," in which many new policies were termed as controversial.

 

However, the protest turned into anti-government protests after the public and most of the youths expressed a lack of confidence in the government and its top leadership. This was because of the government's poor response on how they handled the demonstrations, with multiple human rights organisations sighting various human rights violations perpetuated by the Kenyan Police Service. Over 34 people lost their lives to police bullets during the demos, with the youngest being 14 years old. Demands to dissolve the cabinet, parliament and the reconstitution of the IEBC(Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission) have been echoed out in the recent protests. The most important of these demands is the reconstitution of the IEBC as Kenyans have openly expressed their desire to recall some of their members of parliament, majorly those who voted "YES" to the controversial finance bill 2024. During the protests, Kenya experienced a widespread successful civic education campaign mainly driven by the youth alongside their millennial brothers and sisters. It was evident across all social media platforms as the finance bill 2024 and parts of the Kenyan constitution were translated into more than 30 native languages, a feat the Kenyan government has not yet achieved. 

The awareness and knowledge of the law by these new crop of protesters backed by some politicians and the Law Society of Kenya(LSK) gave them an upper hand during this time. It was evident during arrests and court proceedings, where the LSK moved in with swiftness and quick response to offer legal representation to those arrested during the protests. The use of social media platforms to share the whereabouts of those detained and to raise alarm over abductions by the police in real time was also heavily utilised. This came in handy as many of those abducted claimed to have undergone torture in the hands of the police and cited that social media played a huge part in helping them out of difficult situations. The most notable use of social media during this period was the release of contacts to public officials and legislatures so the public could contact their representatives and advise them not to approve the bill. Another take away from the use of these social platforms was the ability to reveal the identity of rogue killer cops and corrupt public officials. 

With a new 18 million votes added to the electoral block in Kenya, the youths have realised their power in the ballot and have vowed to engage and contest in the upcoming 2027 elections, some even signalling their interests to vie for positions as soon as the IEBC is reconstituted and the recall of Mps started. Full implementation of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and a fight against corruption is the new objective set by these new crop of voters and soon to be politicians. A country so rich yet heavily indebted is the puzzle facing the Kenyan youth. Corruption is the most evident causative agent of Kenya's stifled growth with demands for accountability and a new debt audit put forward by the youth. Adherence to the constitution, competence and transparency are the new demands on the table.What a way to announce your arrival.