Youth-Led Protests Surge on Social Media in Kenya, Raising Alarms Over Surveillance and Fake News
In Kenya, a new generation of activists is rising, armed with smartphones and TikTok accounts, to drive political and social change. As the country grapples with soaring living costs and controversial government policies, Generation Z has harnessed the power of social media to fuel a wave of protests and political activism against Kenyan President William Ruto’s two-year-old administration.
What started as peaceful youth-led rallies against proposed tax hikes has ballooned into wider action against Ruto and what many see as wasteful government spending and corruption. Ruto has acknowledged the power of social media, but has also warned that he could shut down the internet, creating a climate of uncertainty and fear.
TikTok, the short-form video platform, has become the unlikely epicenter of Kenya’s political awakening. Its bite-size videos, often infused with humor and cultural references, have proven to be a potent tool for young Kenyans to express their discontent, share their experiences, and connect with like-minded individuals.
The government’s response to this digital uprising has been a mix of veiled threats and cautious engagement. The fear of being tracked and targeted has led many activists to adopt security measures, including the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) and encrypting their communications.
As the battle for hearts and minds rages online, the spread of disinformation has become a major concern for activists. Odanga Madung, a data scientist and journalist, warns of the growing sophistication of disinformation campaigns, which are designed to deceive and distract people from the real issues.
Despite the challenges, Kenya’s Gen Z activists remain undeterred, leveraging the power of social media to amplify their voices, challenge the status quo, and demand a better future for their country. The outcome of this digital uprising remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: social media has become an indispensable tool for political activism in Kenya and across Africa.
As governments grapple with how to respond to this new reality, the young activists who are spearheading this movement are determined to ensure that their voices are heard, both online and offline. The voices of Kenya’s Generation Z and other protesters are resonating louder than ever, challenging the status quo and advocating for a future where freedom of expression and press freedom are not just ideals, but realities.