Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has called on Gen Z to stand firm in the fight for their rights.
Speaking during the memorial of Kibathi Muigai on Friday, January 17, Uhuru asked the younger generations to never allow anyone to take away what they have worked for.
"The GenZs are the story of the future; fight for your rights, don't just stay there while people are taking away what's yours. Don't allow anyone to take away what's yours, you have worked for it, so make sure you keep what's yours.
"Everything is worth a fight for, if it's taken away let no one complain. Stand for what's yours. We are behind you," he said.
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Notably, Kenya has witnessed a surge in youth activism, prominently led by Generation Z as they demand government accountability and social justice.
This movement gained significant momentum in 2024 catalyzed by the government's Finance Bill 2024 which introduced new taxes on essential goods.
In June 2024, a series of youth-led protests dubbed Occupy Parliament took place in Nairobi, marking a pivotal moment in the country's political landscape.
Unlike previous demonstrations, this protest was organized without political party affiliations, primarily through social media platforms like TikTok and X.
The government's response to these protests was marked by repression with security forces using excessive force, resulting in casualties.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, accused the authorities of orchestrating a cover-up, citing instances of enforced disappearances and illegal detentions.
This shift signified a new era of activism, where the younger generation leveraged digital tools and platforms to challenge the status quo and advocate for meaningful change.
