Challenging the Status Quo: Gen Z's in a Rage

25th of June, 2024 will go down in history as day of reckoning for the political class in Kenya. This culmination of the brewing social unrest in the country saw thousands of youths storm the Kenyan Parliament in an unprecedented wave of rage and violence. To date, it remains a mystery how a conversation that started on X ended up steering one of the deadliest attack on a building that enjoys round the clock elite security protection. Well, to many young people, this was the greatest show of resolve against a government described as stone-deaf and tyrannical.

What is not in contention is that the Kenyan Government never saw this coming, at least not in the extent it did. But what we all agree is that the signs were written all over from the get go. A country that has 80% of its population below the age of 35 years and a projected unemployment rate of 6.61% is a waiting time-bomb. Yet what worsens the situation is having greedy, self-centered individuals at the helm of the leadership structure.

While the government ascended to power on a promise to address deep-rooted unemployment and the high cost of living, it has become increasingly clear that those in power have since shifted gears and no longer care about the commoner. Well, the youths have now decided enough is enough! In a rather interesting show of resolve and an unwavering focus on challenging the status quo, civic education has taken center stage as conversations on governance dominate youth-related discourses.

While some people accuse the financiers and promoters of this youth led revolt for fueling discord and promoting anarchy, the truth is according to Phillip Randolph, “Freedom is never granted; it is won. Justice is never given; it is exacted.” What the Gen Z are calling for is freedom and justice, but what they keep getting from the government is violence and abductions. Perhaps, the government should take a minute and rethink how they have approached this situation so far. The reality with revolutions is that, you can kill the revolutionary but you can never kill the revolution. Despite the sudden calm experienced since the broad-based government came to place, it is clear that the disquiet and disdain for the government amongst the youth is still intact.

According to the Gen Z, these pertinent issues remain a constant headache despite the government having been in power for more than two years now.

• High Taxation

• Limited Employment Opportunities

• High Cost of Doing Business

• High Cost of Living

• Rampant Corruption

• Bad governance

A case of the Pot Calling Kettle Black

It remains the greatest irony of the century that the current regime once scorned over the previous accusing it for sponsoring state capture and militarizing the police departments. Yet in reality, there have been worse of atrocities against innocent youth than any other time in the history of the country. But as the country grapples with the consequence of the Gen Z revolt, an interesting trajectory is staking shaping in the country - the birth of a fearless, tribeless and leaderless grouping, that will not tolerate the greed and don't care attitude associated with the current crop of politicians.

In the worlds of Bob Marley, the youths must "Get up, stand up, Stand up for your rights. Get up, stand up, Don't give up the fight.”