Wednesday’s Gen Z-led protests, marking one year since the historic June 25, 2024 uprising, revealed a major shift in Kenya’s political dynamics and underscored the growing influence of the youth bloc.
In an unprecedented show of defiance, the youth made good on their pledge to declare the day a public holiday.
Demonstrations erupted in at least 25 counties, all without the coordination or leadership of any political figure.
Previously, only ODM leader Raila Odinga had the clout to declare a “public holiday” and engage nearly the whole country in anti-government protests.
Some analysts say the new dynamics shift Raila’s dwindling political force.
Last year’s protests forced President William Ruto to withdraw the controversial Finance Bill 2024.
Gen Z demonstrators publicly rejected Raila’s involvement.
ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna acknowledged the youth’s independent triumph.
“Young Kenyans took to the streets agitating for their rights and demanding the withdrawal of the Finance Bill. They achieved this without aligning themselves to any party or leader,” Sifuna said.
But this year, the political climate was different.
Following ODM’s cooperation deal with the ruling UDA party, many youth accused Raila of betraying them by abandoning their cause for government positions.
“Raila had it coming. History will not absolve him,” Mathare Social Justice Centre co-founder Wanjira Wanjiru said.
“He rubbished all his years of struggle in that mega Gen Z betrayal.”
Several top Raila allies have since landed Cabinet, PS and parastatal appointments.
Youthful Mumias East MP Peter Salasya shared this view, linking Raila’s African Union Commission bid failure earlier this year to what he termed betrayal of the youth.
Activist Hussein Khalid also accused Raila of exploiting the protests for personal political gain.
ODM has denied the allegations, insisting the party has always supported youth-led movements.
Attempts by opposition politicians to ride on Wednesday’s momentum were met with muted responses.
Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa and retired Chief Justice David Maraga are among the politicians who popped up.
Their presence at the protests was brief and largely overlooked.
Meanwhile, the Gen Z movement has reignited civic and religious voices.
Since the 2024 protests, several churches have distanced themselves from political endorsements, rejecting donations and barring politicians from speaking on the pulpit.
On Tuesday, Catholic bishops issued a strong statement, condemning state abuses and calling for accountability.
“The government's primary responsibility is to protect its citizens, not to threaten or silence them,” they said.
“A society that instills fear in its youth is one walking away from justice.”
They urged the state to respect civic freedoms and recognize that youth are not enemies of the state but citizens with valid concerns.
This marks a departure from previous years, when the church was accused of cosying up to the government, and offering the current administration a platform to ascend to power.
Lindsay Obath, who participated in the protest, said deep mistrust in political institutions continues to fuel the movement.
“We’ve been dealing with the same faces who never address our issues,” she said.
“The promises made after the 2024 demos were broken. The President fired his Cabinet only to reappoint some, and increased advisers by 300 per cent. He did the exact opposite of what he promised.”
Obath added that protests have become the only language politicians seem to understand.
“Last year, we were met with brutal force while protesting unfair taxes. We saw deaths, abductions and misconduct from the same police sworn to protect us,” she said.
“Today was no different. We sang and danced only to be met with teargas. Enough is enough.”
Political analyst Dennis Mwangi said Gen Z has stepped into a vacuum created by a political elite unwilling to change.
“Whether they pursue education or not, the future is uncertain. Work hard or start a business — still uncertain. But join senior public office, and you’ll be rich in no time,” he said.“Gen Z is simply saying: We will no longer fund corruption with our sweat.”
