NAIROBI, Kenya — On Tuesday, Generation Z, the driving force behind recent protests in Kenya, is set to flood the streets once more, this time in mourning for their peers who have perished while agitating for good governance.
The planned march follows a turbulent period that has seen more than 40 fatalities and hundreds of injuries among demonstrators.
Of the dead include university students and young professionals.
Organizers of the march have issued a call to participants to carry the national flag, water, and a phone to document the unfolding events.
This march comes in the wake of significant changes within Kenya’s National Police Service (NPS), including the resignation of Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome and the appointment of Douglas Kanja as his acting replacement.
The shake-up extends to other senior positions within the NPS, signaling a potential shift in how future protests might be handled.
The catalyst for the ongoing unrest was the introduction of a controversial Finance Bill, which President William Ruto eventually rejected.
However, the youth’s discontent goes beyond economic grievances.
President Ruto’s decision to disband his entire Cabinet—retaining only Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi—was a response to widespread accusations of opulence, corruption, and incompetence.
The President is now in the process of selecting new officials to replace his infamous inaugural Cabinet, a move that reflects the mounting pressure for accountability and reform.
Tuesday’s protest will serve as a crucial test for IG Kanja, who faces the challenge of demonstrating a departure from his predecessor’s heavy-handed tactics.
Koome was widely criticized for deploying strategies reminiscent of those used in past political crackdowns, often marked by excessive force.
Human rights organizations and police have noted that while the recent protests have been predominantly peaceful, they have occasionally been marred by gangs allegedly affiliated with political figures.
As the youth prepare to march, the atmosphere is charged with both grief and defiance.
“We march not only to honor those we’ve lost but to demand a future free from corruption and violence,” said a content creator, active in the protetsts.
The symbolic act of carrying the national flag is intended to underscore their patriotism and commitment to a better Kenya.
“Remember to be peaceful and record anything and everything,” famous content creator Dennis Ombachi said on his X-formerly Twitter.
“Let’s be our brothers’ keeper and keep account of each other even after the protests. The narrative they’ve been selling is manufacturing consent for state sponsored hooliganism and murder. The cat is cornered.”
The resignation of IG Koome and the broader reshuffle within the NPS have been met with mixed reactions.
Some see it as a long-overdue move that could pave the way for more responsible policing.
Others remain skeptical, questioning whether new leadership will bring about meaningful change.
There have been calls for accountability, on both Koome and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki.
IG Kanji’s approach to Tuesday’s march will be closely watched as an indicator of his stance on civil liberties and law enforcement.
The youth-led protests represent a significant shift in Kenya’s political landscape.
Unlike previous movements largely orchestrated by established political parties, this wave of activism is driven by a new generation demanding systemic change.
Their calls for an overhaul of institutions such as the NPS, National Intelligence Service (NIS), and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) highlight a deeper quest for transparency and justice.
President Ruto’s administration is at a crossroads. The President has accused the American Ford Foundation of being behind the recent protests.
The Foundation has however denied the claims by the President.
Earlier, a section of government officials had accused some local politicians of financing the protests while government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura accused Russia.
The Kenyan youth however say theirs is a genuine cry for change and have a long list of demands.
