As of February 2026, the Gen Z movement in Kenya—sparked prominently by the 2024 #RejectFinanceBill protests against tax hikes, unemployment , corruption, high living costs, and poor governance—remains a significant force in the country's political and social landscape, though it has evolved from mass street actions to a more fragmented, digitally-driven, and introspective phase.Historical Context and Peak MomentsThe movement peaked in 2024 with decentralized, leaderless protests organized largely via social media (especially X/Twitter Spaces), drawing inspiration from global youth uprisings (e.g., USA Capitol hill invasion).The Gen Z movement in Kenya deliberately remained leaderless but was a deliberate move by the key organisers to avoid victimisation and arrest creating a mysterious anonymousy that was confusing to the government on who really was organising and funding the movement.
With the protest still on going 2024 to 20256 it has been documented that over 100 deaths, enforced disappearances, arrests (thousands), and charges like terrorism from mid-2024 into 2025. Protests reignited in 2025 (e.g., one-year anniversary commemorations in June/July, Saba Saba events), demanding accountability for killings, an end to corruption, femicide, and better economic inclusion. These saw continued police violence, but also some concessions like discussions on youth funds, formation of a commission for enquiries on the protest and compensation commission that was stopped by the high court in Kerugoya and electoral reforms.
Current State in 2026 By early 2026, large-scale nationwide street protests have subsided into a "lull" or temporary containment, influenced by:
- The State address of key youth issues— Ongoing NYOTA Fund funded by the World bank has been instrumental in helping address genz issues in the country with business start up funds and employment frameworks.
- Above image show President William Ruto Launching the NYOTA Fund with Gen Z s and world bank team.
- The Lack of formal structure — The leaderless, decentralized nature (deliberate to avoid co-option) limite sustained impact and electoral translation, as noted by analysts and even government figures. Thou the well informed leaders of the Gen Zs look like they are quietly forming a political party notably the OVO Party of Kenya in readyness for the 2027 general election in a bid to form political alliance or coalitions with the already existing parties, this will help bring new needed ideologies to the old rather than joining in the old unflexible system. The leaders are now slowly showing up with convincing evidence of having been the forces behind the 2024 demonstration with figures like Don Raphael Njogu Mwangi claiming the title the Gen Z President for his role in organising the movement since 2024.
- Persistent grievances — Core issues like youth unemployment, inflation, corruption, tribal favoritism in appointments, and Mediocresy/Distrust in key national institutions like the Judiciary, police, KRA , Public Service, etc remain a key factor to fuel the movement in a bid to seek institutional Reforms.
- Lot of disorganization, and misinformation by opportunist which is shifting toward lack of constructive proposals and objective criticism
- Commercial Online activism and scrutiny persist—Gen Z continues documenting issues like political Mediocresy, institutional backward buracracys meant to confuse the public and divert attention from real issues and rather dwell on institution and media propagandas. All this have lead to someone of the Gen zs been victims of political misuse with some been termed as political and media projects.
- Lack of unity towards the 2027 elections — in formulation of a pure Gen Z party that can propell them to power but rather fall victims of been misused by current politicians like sifuna and Babu owino team to push their rebellion movement forgetting their own cause. Instead of turning the "digital rebellion and street protest into political power" remains the key dilemma. Some emerging figures from 2024–2025 protests are eyed as potential candidates, but distrust in themselves and their own kind and ethnic/regional politics pose challenges. .
- Above image show some of the Gen Z party leaders.
- click to join the Gen Z party
The Peer mood has influenced creativity in addressing their financial issues with the creation of crypto currency tokens like the ( ovocoin) that will prove instrumental in the build up to the 2027 general election.
The OVO Party Of Kenya
Secretariat,
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