The Gen Z Revolution: Protesting for the Soul of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution

In the heart of East Africa, Kenya is at a crossroads. In recent weeks, we have witnessed an extraordinary mobilisation of Kenyan youths. The youthful enthusiasm of Gen Z, which was typically considered lethargic, is generating a powerful surge of resistance. This cohort is the first generation to have their political and social consciousness built on the 2010 Constitution.

In contrast to earlier generations, Gen Z has been extensively influenced by digital technology and social media, providing them unparalleled access to knowledge and platforms to express their thoughts. The Kenyan Gen Z protesters are distinguished by their audacity, ingenuity, and steadfast dedication to justice. Their protests are not just about making noise but about demanding concrete changes that reflect the principles of the Kenyan Constitution. 

From the bustling streets of Nairobi to the rural heartlands, the appeal for justice and constitutional adherence resounds strongly, with protests defined by their scale, optimism, and novel approaches by which the youth have expressed their demands. They have organised themselves in numerous activist groups and utilised social media to mobilise, share information, and expose government malpractices, with sites such as Tick Tock, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook serving as spaces of activism, with hashtags such as #RejectFinanceBill2024 and #RutoMustGo gaining traction.

The genesis of all these was the Finance Bill 2024 introduced by the Kenyan government proposing a series of taxes and fiscal measures to address the country’s economic challenges. Even so, these measures were perceived by many as punitive, exacerbating the already high cost of living and burdening the average citizen. Gen Z, whose economic prospects are already bleak due to high unemployment rates and economic instability, found themselves at the forefront of the opposition to the bill.

The bill's provisions appeared to enrich state officials while imposing an undue cost on the average Kenyan. This sense of economic unfairness sparked a widespread outcry. Be that as it may, as the protests wore on, it became evident that the concerns were deeper and more prevalent, involving an extensive array of issues such as governance, corruption, and the 2010 Constitution's unmet promises.

Kenya's 2010 Constitution intended to solve long-standing concerns of corruption, impunity, and lack of accountability that had plagued the nation for decades, introduced critical reforms aimed at decentralizing power, enhancing judicial independence, and enshrining fundamental rights and freedoms with Chapter 6 of the Kenyan Constitution designed to ensure that those in public office are held to the highest standards of ethics and accountability. It requires state officers to: Conduct themselves in a manner that brings honor to the nation and dignity to the office, Promotes public confidence in the integrity of the office and most importantly, not use their office for personal gain.

Nonetheless, these principles have been systematically undermined. From the National Youth Service (NYS) scandal to the looting of COVID-19 funds, the litany of corruption cases involving top government officials has been long and damaging. This lack of accountability has eroded public trust and exacerbated social inequalities.

 To a great extent, these economic issues have disproportionately impacted Kenya's youth, who make up a sizable proportion of the Kenyan population. With scant employment opportunities and an education system that frequently fails to qualify them for the job market, many Kenyans live in a state of chronic economic uncertainty. The government's failure to address these issues, coupled with its extravagant expenditures and flagrant disdain for the Constitution, fueled a desire for change among youths.

The government's tax policy has been punitive, imposing a heavy burden on low and middle-income taxpayers while offering multiple exemptions for the wealthy and well-connected. Many Kenyans cannot afford basic needs including bread, flour, and cooking oil owing to excessive taxes on vital goods and services. The debut of new taxes like motor vehicle tax, minimum top-up tax, economic presence tax and the digital tax just to mention but a few, without corresponding improvements in public services, has only deepened the economic despair.

Ideally, taxation is supposed to fund public services and infrastructure, thereby improving the quality of life for citizens. Unfortunately, in Kenya, the truth is that the revenue generated from taxes is often misappropriated or squandered on non-essential expenditures. The lavish lifestyles of government officials, marked by extravagant travel and luxurious living, stand in stark contrast to the struggles of the average Kenyan.

The government's untamed borrowing from entities such as the World Bank and the IMF has resulted in a burgeoning national debt. While these loans are frequently presented as required for development projects, there is no evidence of concrete benefits to the general public. Instead, much of the funds borrowed is squandered through corruption or used to fund projects that do not directly benefit the people.

The responsibility for repaying these loans passes to future generations, locking the country in a cycle of debt and dependency. Worst, the terms of these loans frequently include strict conditions that jeopardise Kenya's sovereignty and economic stability. For example, the privatisation of vital national assets and austerity measures that reduce essential public services are standard criteria imposed by international lenders.

For these reasons and more, the Gen Z, distinguished by their digital nativity and global awareness, has emerged as a formidable force in the fight for constitutional implementation. Unlike previous generations. they are not beholden to the old guard of political leaders and are unafraid to confront the status quo. Their protests are marked by an in-depth understanding of their constitutional rights and a steadfast commitment to see them respected and upheld.

In response to the protests, the state has resorted to intimidation and violence in an attempt to quell the dissent. The police have been deployed to break up peaceful protests, often using excessive force. There have been numerous reports of abductions, unlawful arrests, and even killings of protestors. These actions not only violate the protesters’ constitutional rights but also underscore the very issues they are protesting against; a government that is out of touch with the needs of its citizens and unaccountable to the rule of law.

Video evidence has surfaced showing youths, allegedly mobilized by state actors, being used to infiltrate and disrupt peaceful protests. These hired goons engage in looting and property destruction, thereby discrediting the protests and providing a pretext for the state to crack down on protestors. This tactic of using violence to delegitimize and suppress dissent is a clear indication of the lengths to which the government will go to maintain its grip on power.

This state-sanctioned violence underscores the very issues the protesters are rallying against. It is a stark reminder of the impunity that Chapter 6 seeks to eliminate. The government’s heavy-handed approach has only served to strengthen the resolve of the protesters, who see their struggle as a fight for the soul of their nation.

For the Gen Z protesters, the judiciary is critical to the implementation of Chapter 6. A robust and autonomous judiciary is crucial for holding corrupt officials liable and upholding the principles of leadership and integrity. However, Kenya's judiciary has frequently been deemed corrupt, with claims of political meddling.

The restoration of faith in the judiciary is paramount to the protest movement's success. Protesters are demanding judicial reforms that assure independence, transparency, and accountability. They demand a judiciary that will tenaciously implement Chapter 6 provisions to administer justice to Kenyans.

The Gen Z protest movement in Kenya is a striking reminder of the people's enduring power to demand change. It is a call to action for all Kenyans to hold their leaders accountable and to ensure that the principles enshrined in the 2010 Constitution are fully realized.

This movement is not just about addressing immediate grievances but about laying the groundwork for a more just, equitable, and democratic Kenya. It is a testament to the resilience and determination of the younger generation, who are unwilling to accept the status quo and are committed to building a better future for all Kenyans.

As the protests continue, it is crucial for all stakeholders—government, civil society, international bodies, and the broader public—to listen to the voices of these young activists. Their demands for justice, accountability, and good governance are not just legitimate but essential for the future of Kenya. The time for change is now, and the Gen Z protesters are leading the way.