Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina has called on the
international community to back Kenya’s Gen Z movement, warning that young
protesters continue to face systemic barriers to political participation.
Speaking in Seattle during a meeting with Kenyans, Maina said recent demonstrations in Kenya had exposed the extent of
state pushback against youth activism.
“Following the June 25th, 2025 protest marking the
anniversary of the 2024 Finance Bill unrest, Kenyan authorities arrested
hundreds of young protesters,” she said.
“Many were charged
with incitement, destruction of property, and even terrorism under the
Prevention of Terrorism Act. This is a deliberate strategy to deter dissent,
lengthen detention, and stifle civic participation.”
According to Maina, the use of Kenya’s counter-terrorism
framework against Gen Z protesters has left many vulnerable youth facing harsh
bail conditions, restricted access to legal counsel, and extended pretrial
detention.
“Most of these young people are economically vulnerable and
lack adequate legal defense,” she added.
Maina, who described herself as the “Gen Z lawyer,”
urged Kenyan youth to pair their protests with civic engagement through
electoral politics.
“While protesting is
a powerful expression of dissent, we must also not forget the important civic
duty that awaits us in electoral politics. Registering to vote and
participating as candidates is a fundamental step towards shaping governance
and not merely resisting it,” she said.
She urged young Kenyans to take advantage of the ongoing voter registration exercise by the Independent Electoral and
Boundaries Commission (IEBC) ahead of the 2027 General Election.
However, she acknowledged barriers such as high replacement
fees for identity cards and bureaucratic delays, particularly in rural areas,
which continue to frustrate youth registration.
Maina also appealed to international partners, including the
U.S. government, Congress, and human rights institutions, to press Kenya on
accountability.
“There must be
conditions for bilateral aid on human rights compliance,” she said.
“There must be full-scale investigations into the misuse of
counter-terror laws and justice for the many young people who have lost their lives,
yet no one has been held accountable.”
She commended ongoing efforts to compensate victims’
families but insisted that justice remained paramount.
“Justice must be at
the table so that Kenyan parents who lost their children can get a sense of
peace and closure,” she said.
The legislator further expressed gratitude to civil society
groups, human rights defenders, and advocates who have supported Kenya’s youth
movement.
“Let us join in supporting the Kenyan tendency. Let us keep
the flame burning and remember the 15 million Kenyans who are pushing for
change,” she concluded.
