Kenyan Generation Z seeks to challenge established norms across various domains, including politics and religion.
One Hell of a Protest: The Unforgettable Chaos of June 25, 2024
(Listen to the pulse of street-smart Nairobi as a young lady named Linet Nyambura relives the day the city center erupted in fury, and Kenya took a monumental stride into the modern era.)
It was against her mother's wishes, but Linet Nyambura, 26, had a feeling she couldn't ignore. The political climate in Kenya was ablaze, and the 25th of June, 2024, was shaping up to be the day it all hit the boiling point. Linet, like countless others in Generation Z, was irked by the government's proposed Finance Bill and its crippling tax increases. But it was more than just taxes driving the youth of Kenya to rebellion — it was their voices being intentionally silenced by an out-of-touch political elite.
"Mom supported the cause, but she was scared something might happen to me," recalls Linet, sipping her coffee at a bustling café in the Westlands neighborhood of Nairobi. She was about to describe living history, her eyes sparkling with a mix of awe and terror.
"That day, I walked past Parliament and saw a protester's brains on the sidewalk. I felt like I was part of history," Linet continues, her voice gaining emotion. "Our kids will read about this day in books."
The June 2024 uprising was, in many ways, a trigger event for Kenya. With roughly 60 deaths and 1,200 arrests, the day will long be remembered as a turning point in Kenyan history, a volatile expression of youth's collective frustration with the status quo. In this vast, sprawling nation of 53 million, an astounding 18 million were born between the late 1990s and the early 2010s, the digital-savvy Gen Z population that spring-loaded the protests through social media.
But the protests were more than just a handful of keystrokes and hashtags; they were a clarion call for a nation in despair. The Finance Bill was the catalyst, but the anger and resentment simmering beneath the surface had been present for years. The youth saw no future in a system designed to keep them at the bottom, where lives were defined by struggles for food and education. They chose to stand up and be heard.
However, the government's reaction to their demands was nothing short of brutal. The police force, instead of listening, retaliated with excessive force. Tear gas, batons, and live ammunition were the weapons of choice, resulting in the deaths of at least 60 protesters. It was a chilling display of power that sent shockwaves through the Nairobi streets and earned the capital a somber reputation.
The unrest didn't stop there. Intelligence agents began rounding up more than 80 protesters, disappearing them into the abyss of Kenya's shadowy security apparatus. The world watched in horror as the country's political system demonstrated once again its disregard for human rights and the rule of law.
For many, including Linet, the aftermath was a bitter pill to swallow. The government continued its brutal crackdown on dissent, silencing peaceful protests and outlawing digital activism. The legacy of trauma and pain lingered long after the protests subsided, a constant reminder of a system unwilling to change.
But the resolve of Kenya's youth was unbreakable. They banded together, determined to make their voices heard, defying the odds and creating digital tools to monitor government action and hold politicians accountable. These innovations, though risky, were a shining beacon of hope in an otherwise dark landscape.
The days, weeks, and months following the June 2024 uprising were a tumultuous rollercoaster for the Kenyan people, but ultimately, the youth of the nation refused to cower. The events of June 25, 2024, etched themselves into the heart and soul of a generation, and would forever serve as a reminder of their unyielding fight for a better future, a future where their voices matter.
"Linet Nyambura, 26, found herself at the forefront of a financial and political maelstrom as she joined protests against the government's proposed Finance Bill and its tax increases," Linet explains from the safety of a Westlands café.
"That day, I saw the repercussions of politics on general-news unfold before my eyes, leaving an indelible impact on me and a generation that refused to be silenced," Linet reflects, her gaze fixed on the bustling streets of Nairobi, echoing the tension between progress and resistance that defined her country's tumultuous journey through June 25, 2024.
