Kenya's Damascus moment with Gen Z, there's nowhere to hide

Gen Z’s impact on our politics is unprecedented. They have defied traditional norms of protest and political engagement. Unlike previous movements that could be easily ethnicised or politicised, Gen Z’s issues are clear, candid and universal. Their protests cannot be dismissed as grievances of a particular community; they are a collective call for accountability and transparency in governance.

Historically, Kenyan protests were often manipulated by politicians who could mobilise masses to rally for causes not entirely understood by the protesters themselves. These demonstrations were easily quelled when leaders, often compromised, called for an end.

In contrast, the current Gen Z movement is rooted in a deep understanding of the issues at hand. They demand tangible results and accountability, not just empty promises or token gestures.

For long, Kenya’s political system has been opaque, with elected officials operating with a sense of entitlement, believing their election grants them unchecked power to act as they please. This has led to rampant corruption and mismanagement of public resources.

Politicians have been content to impose taxes and collect revenues without providing a clear account of how these funds are utilised. The Gen Zs challenge this status quo, demanding transparency.

The government’s approach to fiscal management has been akin to trying to fill a leaking bucket by increasing the flow of water instead of repairing the holes. Rather than addressing systemic issues of corruption and inefficiency, efforts have focused on raising more revenue.

This approach is unsustainable and only exacerbates the problem. As the song by Harry Belafonte goes, “There’s a hole in the bucket,” and it must be fixed before attempting to draw more water.

Gen Z’s demands are straightforward: fix the problems. They are not interested in endless dialogues and meetings that yield reports gathering dust. They want action and solutions. Attempts by older politicians to co-opt the movement through calls for dialogue have fallen flat.

Gen Z activists are not looking to identify the problems—they have already done so. They want those in power to take responsibility and make necessary changes. 

The political class may try to resist and downplay this movement, but they must eventually face reality. Historically, governments have tried to blame victims and external forces for uprisings, ignoring the root causes of discontent. During the Mau Mau rebellion, the colonial government labelled the freedom fighters ungrateful savages instead of acknowledging their legitimate grievances. Similarly, during the push for a multi-party system, the government dismissed activists as puppets of foreign interests. 

This pattern is repeating with Gen Z. Attempts to discredit the movement by alleging foreign funding or influence miss the point entirely. The issues being raised are real and stem from genuine frustrations with the current state of governance.

One does not need foreign backing to see the need for freedom and fair treatment. Just as oppressed populations throughout history have risen to demand their rights, Gen Z is standing up against systemic failures.

Ultimately, the Damascus moment for Kenya’s political class is inevitable. They must either adapt to the demands of the people or risk becoming obsolete.