Table of Contents
The Importance of Participation
Political education means understanding how a country works: for example, who makes laws, how elections are conducted, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. This knowledge is important so people can form their own opinions and participate. Understanding political connections helps individuals defend their interests, recognize injustice, and actively engage in society. The Gen Z Movement in Kenya is a strong example of political education because it shows how young people question and shape political processes through knowledge, awareness, and active participation.
Gen Z and the Third Liberation
Kenya has a long history of resisting injustice – from colonial resistance and the Mau Mau movement to struggles against corrupt governments. Even after independence, many courageous people fought for freedom, justice, and democracy, but hopes were repeatedly disappointed by election fraud, police violence, corruption, and inequality.
The Gen Z movement is a new wave of protest. Triggered by the proposed Finance Bill 2024, it quickly spread against government, parliament, and church – against a system many young people experience as broken. They demand real participation, social justice, fair opportunities, transparent politics, and an end to corruption.
This young generation fights decisively – creatively, boldly, and loudly. They aim for a just future for all. This is Kenya’s “third liberation.” Viva Kenya Viva!
“Zillennials” – A Generation with a Democratic Mindset
After the youth protests against the Finance Bill 2024, a profound shift became visible. Gen Z, supported by Millennials, demands political renewal, social justice, and genuine participation. Through creative protest forms, social media, and organization, they pressured institutions, leading to the withdrawal of the law and the cabinet’s dissolution. Their protest challenges a system of corruption, abuse of power, police violence, and broken promises. Traditional authorities, parties, and churches are losing influence. A new “youth politics” emerges, rejecting tribal logic and empty reforms. The youth want real change, a fair future, and constitutional implementation. Marekebisho – correction – is their guiding principle.
Resistance Through Art
“What should we do as artists?” asked Chinua Achebe. In Kenya, art became a weapon of resistance. During the Gen Z protests, young people filled the streets with music, posters, dance, and visual art.
This tradition has deep roots: in the 1950s, Gakaara wa Wanjaũ sang Mau Mau songs against colonialism; in the 1980s, musician Ochieng Kabaselleh was imprisoned for critical songs. Today, artists like Sabi Wu or Wadagliz KE address current issues with songs like Reject Hio Bill, spreading the protest worldwide. Spoken-word artists like Ngartia Kimathi and theater groups such as Creatives Garage make social injustice visible.
Gen Z demonstrates: art is protest – bold, creative, collective. Music, language, and performance become tools for justice and change.
Standing Firm Against State Violence
On June 25, 2025, many young Kenyans protested again against the Finance Bill, recalling the brutal police response in 2024. Some wrote symbolic obituaries, naming their date of death and asking friends for proper burial if necessary. Some even contacted a well-known mortician and paid in advance.
These young people do not want to die – they want to be heard. Their “last words” are not a desire for death, but a cry for justice and change. They demand a life with meaning, participation, and dignity. What we see is not a “death wish,” but an ultimate expression of courage and protest against an unjust system.
Quiz
The Speaker
As co-founder of the association Global New Generation Berlin, I have been advocating for the recognition of all people in our society for many years. Children are especially close to my heart, as my (grand)children also live in Germany.
I design transcultural projects and implement them with diverse teams. I find discrimination-sensitive education very important. For this reason, I offer anti-discrimination and diversity training for educational institutions.
As an artist, I enjoy using art as a tool to support young people in their development and identity formation.
Source
Journaling Kenya’s Gen Z Revolution
Inhalt teilweise erstellt mit Unterstützung von ChatGPT (OpenAI, 2025), https://chat.openai.com
Financial support
This learning field was created with the kind support of the Education Opportunities Foundation.