The Gen Z revolt that shook President Ruto

Protesters in the streets of Nairobi [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

At first, it appeared to be the usual lamentations on social media platforms. Before long, Gen Z galvanized itself against the controversial Finance Bill 2024/2025.

Before the dust settled following riotous scenes across the country, President William Ruto bowed to Gen Z pressure, declining to sign the Bill.

Gen Z won, Ruto lost, stating in a televised address: “Consequently, having reflected on the continuing conversation around the content of the Finance Bill of 2024, I will decline to assent to the Bill.”

Like a majority of Kenyans, the President underestimated the power of Gen Z, who were inspired by several social media influencers.

No amount of intimidation, arrests, and abductions of influencers stopped the Gen Z revolution that has taken the country by storm and left a divided Kenya Kwanza administration, with Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua appearing to pull in different directions.

Despite their diverse backgrounds, the influencers managed to rally the youth to reject the bill through street protests that climaxed with the storming of Parliament, where MPs had to flee for their safety. Unfortunately, the Gen Z rebellion left a trail of bloodshed, destruction, and deaths.

The Gen Z revolt sprung from simmering discontent among millions of youth across the country suffering due to high unemployment rates, corruption, and limited opportunities despite having good academic credentials.

Yet the contentious bill sought to increase taxes and burden the already struggling youth. It became the spark that ignited a digital revolution under the stewardship of social media influencers.

The bill included a significant increase in taxes on essential goods and services, including mobile data, digital transactions, bread, and sanitary pads.

For a generation that relied heavily on the internet for education, communication, and entrepreneurship, this was a direct attack on their future.

Key social media influencers included Gabriel Oguda, a newspaper columnist cum activist; Boniface Mwangi, a prominent Kenyan activist and photojournalist; Shad Khalif, a software developer; Osama Otero, a content creator, comedian, and social media influencer; and Drey Mwangi, a digital content creator. Others included Avugwi Chagusia, Chebet Kirui, Brian Nzavi Ngula, Harriet Nyongesa, and Ernest Nyerere.

They understood the power of their platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, and YouTube. They began by using their influence to educate their followers about the issues at hand towards rejecting the bill.

“Kenyans are back again in the streets tomorrow. Wear that bandana. Wear that ribbon. Carry that placard. Be colourful, and defiant,” posted Boniface Mwangi on his Facebook page with over 600,000 followers six days ago while rallying Gen Z to turn up in large numbers for street protests.

Another post read: “Despite our collective cry rejecting Finance Bill 2024, Parliament gave Zakayo the right to do wrong to 54 million Kenyans. We reject the Finance Bill in its entirety. And despite our peaceful protests, police have responded with bullets, killing two of our own, maiming many others, and one person is in critical condition. We refuse to be silenced, so we’re marching on.”

Mwangi went ahead outlining a seven-day timetable of events and protests across the country between June 20 and June 27.

For example, on Day 2 last Saturday (June 22) at midnight, all bars and clubs that Gen Z frequent stopped the music to listen to a national crescendo of: “Ruto must go” and “Reject Finance Bill.”

On this particular day, chants of “Ruto Must Go” reverberated in nightclubs in cities and major towns across the country as Gen Z, born between 1981 to 1996, took their campaign against the bill a notch higher.

Videos shared on social media showed that nightclubs in Nairobi, Nakuru, and Eldoret cities and major towns of Kericho, Narok, and Naivasha broke into “Ruto Must Go” and “Reject Finance Bill” chants around midnight as the push to have the Kenya Kwanza government drop the Bill intensified.

In what appeared as well-coordinated night protests, Disk Jockeys (DJs) in the nightclubs stopped the music and led revellers in the chants.

Titus Odhiambo, alias DJ Montana, had it rough in Kitale as his plan of nonstop music night in a nightclub was interrupted by both intoxicated and sober revellers.

“It was a difficult night because we are never used to interruptions. But if we refused to stop the music, the Gen Zs would turn against us and order us removed from our machines,” said Montana.

“Day 4 (June): Make a courtesy call on MPs who voted ‘Yes’ at the constituency office. Tell them: Endelea hivyo hivyo! Boycott the businesses of these traitors. Ostracize them for betraying 54 million Kenyans. Start collecting signatures to recall them. Day 5 on June 25, #OccupyParliament and Total Shutdown Kenya. A national strike. Gen Z are granting all hardworking Kenyans a day off. Parents, keep your children at home in solidarity,” Mwangi’s post read in part.

Gabriel Oguda, whose Facebook page has over 128,000 followers under the banner “They will not believe,” has also been instrumental in educating Gen Z on why they should reject the Finance Bill 2024.

Gabriel Oguda [Facebook]

Oguda has built a significant following on Twitter and Facebook, where he regularly shares his thoughts on social issues, governance, and economic policies. His analytical approach and eloquent writing resonate with a broad audience, particularly the youth who look up to him for guidance and inspiration.

He used Twitter (now X) to dissect the finance bill in a series of detailed threads. He explained the economic implications, the impact on daily life, and the broader consequences for Kenya’s future. His thorough analysis and engaging style made complex issues understandable and shareable.

Oguda, together with popular influencer Osama Otero, hosted Space discussions for Finance Bill protests through hashtag campaigns like #RejectTheFinanceBill, which quickly went viral. They used Twitter to share detailed threads explaining the bill’s impact on everyday life, demystifying economic jargon for the general public.

They were also instrumental in the production of memes and graphics to engage younger audiences, highlighting the bill’s flaws in a humorous yet informative way. These visual aids were shared extensively on Instagram and Reddit, making complex information accessible and shareable.

Shad Khalif, a 24-year-old software developer and popular social media influencer, with a large following on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, together with other influencers and human rights activists, rallied Gen Z to come together and reject the bill.

On the day of the protest, thousands of young Kenyans took to the streets, united by their shared cause. They carried banners with slogans like “Our Future, Our Choice” and “Tax Justice Now.” The protests were peaceful yet powerful, capturing the nation’s attention.

They held live discussions on social media platforms. These sessions allowed followers to ask questions, voice their concerns, and feel part of the movement. The real-time interaction fostered a sense of community and urgency.

This led to their abductions at night, which were linked to state agents who have recently intensified their crackdown on those believed to be mobilizing the protests, attracting condemnation from far and wide.

Cecilia Mutemi, a consultant at Dalila Psychologist, told The Nairobian on the phone that it was just a matter of time before the youth came out in unison to vent their frustrations to the government so their voices could also be heard.

“Gen Zs don’t have jobs, they are being overtaxed, suffering, and feel unjustified since the government of the day is not sensitive to their plight,” said Ms. Mutemi, adding that the problem was exacerbated when police started using excessive force against them while protesting.

She went on: “The education we gave Gen Zs has opened their horizons and made them want to lead a better life, but they have not been given the opportunities to thrive. Gen Zs are fearless, courageous, tribeless, partyless, and exposed to the power of social media. They are people you can’t wish away just like that.”

Mutemi said when she was growing up, even during university protests, her parents would not allow her to participate in such a daring cause.