Let's keep the online fire burning to keep these leaders on a leash

Youth during Gen Z protests in Nairobi on August 8, 2024. [File, Standard]

It has been a stirring few months in Kenya. Our people, politics, and posts have ignited conversations, questions, and even chaos across the globe. The #occupyparliament protests that began in June, the press infringement, the deaths, and the posts by Gen Z have all served as a refreshing and exciting reminder that the people have power.
These protests have featured on our social media feeds and impacted our daily lives and businesses.

When National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa dismissed the Gen Z protesters as ‘KFC-eating’ privileged city-dwellers, he and many influential figures in the older generations were amused at the energy of the youngsters.

To those of us in the country, it feels that the Gen X people in power waited for Gen Z rage, and data bundles to run out so that the quiet struggle would return and the status quo could continue.

Yet, in another recent show of online activism, #morara has been trending in Kenya on the X platform. The hashtag has been used to draw (@ MoraraKebasoSnr) Morara Kebaso Snr’s attention.

With 123,200 followers the young lawyer has taken it upon himself to auditing government project, fact-checking and unearthing dis- and misinformation circulated in the media.
Indeed, Morara’s viral videos have spurred others to make their own content by visiting and commenting on incomplete, failed, or non-existent places and promises. A video he posted on August 24 shows Morara “In Bosiango Village Kitutu Masaba constituency Nyamira County a 10.8 billion dam is nothing but tea bushes... Wizi Wizi bila kazi”. Much like many of his posts and videos the X received over 500,000 interactions and over 14,000 likes. Support and frustration is evident. But so is the appetite for truth.
During the initial weeks of #occupyparliament protests, a since disproved video circulated on TikTok seemed to show Russian President Putin pledging support to Gen Z, offering to ‘help with anything they may need while demonstrating’.

The Russian Embassy in Kenya refuted the video, but not before it was played 93,300 times, so it is crucial to ask the same questions of foreign powers, countries and investors (like recent ‘gifts’ of grain, road contracts, full University scholarships that are being offered). Nothing is free.

As #morara and Gen Z are asking - are promises being fulfilled, why are options being offered and what does it mean for Kenya and it’s people? Whether questioning geopolitics, principles, reasons for investment, morals, allocated budgets, usage of funds, or reports, using social media to check and double-check circulated messages is an essential exercise for every citizen to undertake.

That quest and concern for the truth should be at the heart of every individual, and social media and online resources can help us combat disinformation and misinformation.
What is most apparent is that since June, on X and in the streets, cabs and kitchens in Kenya, humanity and passion have had a revenge tour against the status quo. As clocks tick and years pass, people settle into the norm of everyday life and a quiet acceptance of ‘who runs and owns what’. It is remarkable how fast and effectively humans adjust.
How, then, can we ensure that we maintain a level of awareness, appetite, and anger at injustice? We can do this through our continued amplified activism online, harnessing the power of technology, combatting disinformation, and fact-checking to ensure Gen X knows we are watching and keeping receipts that can and will be used in the court of public opinion and social media.

Communications Consultant and PR Professional