1. Rejection of the Finance Bill 2024: The protests successfully pressured President William Ruto to veto the controversial Finance Bill 2024, which proposed tax increases that would have exacerbated the cost-of-living crisis for many Kenyans. This was a significant victory, as the bill was withdrawn after protesters stormed Parliament on June 25, 2024, forcing lawmakers to reconsider the punitive tax measures
2. Government Reforms and Cabinet Reshuffle: The intensity of the protests led to significant government reforms, including a cabinet reshuffle where President Ruto sacked several cabinet secretaries. Additionally, 47 cooperatives were dissolved, unconstitutional offices were abolished, and re-appointments in the civil service were suspended. These actions were seen as a direct response to the protesters’ demands for accountability and an end to corruption.
3. Shift Toward Issue-Based Politics: The Gen Z protests were notable for their leaderless, tribeless, and partyless nature, challenging Kenya’s traditional political landscape, which has historically been dominated by ethnic and tribal affiliations. This shift emphasized issue-based activism, focusing on governance, corruption, and economic inequality, potentially paving the way for a new era of “co-shared political power” and public scrutiny of state affairs The protest helped the country witness a reconciliation of the government and the opposition led by Raila Odinga which led to the formation of the Broadbased government
4.Global Attention and Solidarity: The protests gained international traction, with figures like Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine and Jamaican artist Konshens expressing support. The hashtag #RejectFinanceBill2024 trended globally, amplifying the movement’s message and highlighting Kenyan youth’s fight against misgovernance and economic hardship. This global resonance inspired similar youth-led protests in countries like Nigeria and Bangladesh.
5. Innovative Use of Technology and Humor: Gen Z protesters leveraged digital platforms for mobilization, translating the Finance Bill into local languages, using AI tools like ChatGPT to educate the public, and employing apps like WhatsApp, Zello, and Briar for coordination. Their use of humor, memes, and the chant “Ruto Must Go ” power and widen their coalition, making the movement accessible and relatable across diverse groups.
6. Increased Civic Engagement and Awareness: The protests marked a turning point in Kenyan activism, with 60% of respondents in a GeoPoll survey participating either in person or online, reflecting high civic engagement. The movement also fostered a culture of media vigilance, with 46% of respondents always verifying information, indicating a growing awareness of misinformation during political events.
7. Challenging Police Brutality and Press Freedom Violations: The protests brought renewed focus on police brutality, shown by the rampant abductions which brought great public out cry in demands for reform gaining traction after incidents like the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in custody and the shooting of unarmed protesters. The High Court overturned a government ban on live media coverage, reinforcing press freedom. These actions highlighted the youth’s commitment to holding security forces accountable.
8. Cultural and Political Awakening: The protests were described as a “political awakening” that sidelined traditional political gatekeepers and rejected ethnic patronage. They empowered Kenyans to confront corruption and poor governance boldly, with lasting cultural impacts, such as churches rejecting dubious donations and citizens demanding accountability .Reject of Tribalism with hashtags like #weareAllKikuyus trending in a ecoh of solidarity among Kenyans against Tribalism.
Despite these achievements, the protests came at a high cost, with reports of at least over 60 deaths, hundreds injured, and numerous abductions in 2024, followed by further violence during the June 2025 anniversary protests. The movement’s success in forcing policy changes and reshaping political discourse was tempered by ongoing challenges, including government resistance and a lack of tangible socio-economic improvements, with 57% of GeoPoll respondents in 2025 stating that “nothing has changed
The Gen Z protests of 2024 demonstrated the power of youth-led, tech-savvy activism in challenging entrenched political structures, setting a precedent for future movements in Kenya and beyond. However, the struggle for systemic change remains ongoing, as economic hardships and state violence continue to fuel discontent.
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