One year on from Kenya’s landmark youth-led protests, the country’s young activists remain as determined as ever but deeply divided over the best way forward.
The 2024 demonstrations erupted over a controversial finance bill that threatened to raise taxes in a nation where roughly 40 percent of people still live below the poverty line. What began as spontaneous, leaderless rallies quickly grew, culminating in a dramatic storming of parliament on 25 June, forcing President William Ruto to withdraw the bill.
But the protests came at a heavy cost. Police responded with overwhelming force, leaving 60 dead and many more detained. For many young Kenyans, the violence only sharpened their resolve.
“It was spontaneous, leaderless, and unlike anything our country had ever seen,” said Hanifa Adan, 28, one of the most recognised voices from the Gen Z protests. “State violence was brutal and traumatising, meant to intimidate and silence us. Instead, it exposed a desperate system clinging to power.”
The protests marked a rare moment when Kenya’s youth united beyond long-standing ethnic and regional divisions. Instead of tribal politics, the focus was firmly on policy and justice.
Yet, as the movement has matured, stark differences have emerged.
Some, like Adan, continue to agitate from the streets, campaigning on women’s rights and police reform. Others have chosen a different path, stepping into formal politics.
Kasmuel McOure, 27, who rose to prominence during the protests for his fiery speeches and sharp suits, is now aligned with veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga whose recent alliance with the government has drawn criticism.
“I’m a party man through and through,” McOure told media. “If you’re going to play politics, then let’s play it properly.”
McOure declined to confirm whether he will contest a parliamentary seat in 2027 but said young people must seize political power to make real change. He dismissed much of the protest leadership as disorganised. “I thought the majority who called themselves leaders were agitating for the sake of agitating,” he said.
Adan, while agreeing on the need for political engagement, rejects compromise with the entrenched elite. “Many young people want to shape policy, not just react to it,” she said. “A new wave of leaders are running for office without aligning with the dominant, often corrupt, parties.”
Acknowledging internal differences, she emphasised the strength found in diversity. “The same youth who faced teargas, organised medical drives, and created online campaigns are now preparing to take office,” Adan said. “They’re running not to join the system, but to transform it.”
As Kenya approaches the next election cycle, the youth movement grapples with a critical question: Is change best achieved through continued protest or by working within the political establishment? For now, the answer remains as complex as the country itself.
