Why Gen Z viciously dismissed Ruto's olive branch for dialogue

Gen Zs throng Kenyatta National Hospital to donate blood and visit their peers who were injured during protests on June 30, 2024. They insisted that all of them were to give blood to save the situation, but the hospital management told them to come on a weekday. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

A leadership that cannot be trusted, emerging trend of abductions, a government not in touch with the people’s needs, high cost of living and unemployment are the main reasons Gen Z has dismissed talks with President William Ruto.

Interviews The Standard had several members of the growing movement by Kenya’s youngest adults reveal total distrust of institutions of this administration and the men and women behind them.

On Friday, President William Ruto’s Chief of Staff, Felix Koskei, called for dialogue, proposing a team of 100 representatives appointed by the youth, civil society, religious organisations, professional bodies, business community organisations and others.

The response by Gen Z came fast, saying they don’t have leaders. They added that it was wrong to dialogue with President Ruto because of massive abductions, detentions, and the killing of their colleagues.

Through Twitter spaces and TikTok platforms, Kenya’s youngest adults have argued that those in power should not abuse and lecture them on how to be governed. They want the leadership to understand that the voter is the boss.

A member of the Gen Z movement who requested to be referred to by one name, Douglas, said any meeting with the government will allow State agencies — police and National Intelligence Service — to infiltrate their activities and abduct and kill them.

“We are not going to participate in the dialogue with the government because they are setting us up in a trap to finish us” He said: “We need to stay focused on our aim of removing Ruto’s illegitimate regime. We don’t have a leader, so let’s remain that way.” 

With a population of 18,378,493, making up 33.42 per cent of Kenya’s 54,985,702 population according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, Gen Z numbers alone should worry President Ruto.

Governance expert Prof Peter Kagwanja, defines Gen Z as Kenya’s finest generation. 

Kagwanja told The Standard that the generation was raised on literature by Kenya’s own writers discussing bad leadership and how they end.

‘‘Books such as  “Kilio cha Haki and ‘Tumbo Lisiloshiba’ were penned by nationalists with a clear message of rejecting selfish leaders,” he said.

Kibaki’s era of “watoto waende shule” in Kagwanja’s eyes set the stage for the current educated young adults.

Mwai Kibaki’s era opened school for free primary education. They also saw their parents afforded everything that now eludes them.

“They recall when their parents could afford everything and they are now struggling under this government.

‘‘Gen Z is the generation that went the digital way during Uhuru Kenyatta’s era and they are knowledgeable and well-brought-up children,’’ Kagwanja said.

 “They have been raised to question authority”, said Historian Prof Macharia Munene of USIU.

“Exposed to the cyberworld, they face an antiquated government, hence their protests. They protest because they’ve witnessed their parents’ hardships,” Munene said,

Prof Munene believes that the protests will influence the 2027 elections, as Gen Zs understand the ongoing plunder in the country. 

 “About eight million people did not vote previously, but they will vote now. They are determined to fix this. Sadly, we’ve had some casualties.”  On social media, Gen Zs blame their parents for allowing incompetent and corrupt leaders to ruin the country. Speaking to The Standard, many expressed distrust in the President and pledged to demand accountability from all in power.

“We’ve seen how fear controlled our parents. They struggled under threats, and we won’t allow it again. My parent retired years ago, and the government still hasn’t paid her retirement package,” one protester said.

The group’s influence has grown so much that even officials and politicians are hesitant to confront them on social media, in churches, or on the streets. 

Security expert Collins Wandera said, “Nairobi has become very calm. Even in heavy traffic, no politician is using sirens or pushing citizens off the roads. Flags on CS’s cars are missing, they aren’t using chase cars, and bodyguards are now timid. No big looter wants to be noticed. Pride, arrogance, and hubris are gone.” 

Wanjiru Zuena Abigael, 21, said young people are the custodians of their present and future, ready to ensure quality service delivery, resource accountability, good governance, and inclusion in all government processes. 

“We also demand the immediate release of all unlawfully abducted and missing young people, even as the idea of dialogue between the government and Gen Z is being floated,” Wanjiru said.  

Josie Njoroge said their mission began with rejecting the Finance Bill but has escalated to advocating for the complete dissolution of the government. 

Prof Munene said politicians were caught off guard, and changes are evident. “They have already initiated changes.” He emphasised that the demonstrations aren’t a military issue but a police one.

“Deploying the military shows the police failed. The State must correct the police’s deficiencies,” he said, noting Gen Z’s fundamental issues.