A year after Kenya’s explosive Gen Z-led protests against high taxes and corruption, the youth who ignited the movement remain passionate but divided on how best to move forward.
The protests began in response to a controversial finance bill that significantly increased taxes in a country where nearly 40 percent of people live in poverty. Years of corruption and economic frustration had built up, and the youth reached a breaking point. With no central leadership and no political affiliations, young people took to the streets in numbers the country had never seen before.
“It was spontaneous, leaderless, and unlike anything our country had ever seen,” said Hanifa Adan, 28, one of the standout voices from the movement. The protests hit their peak on June 25 when demonstrators stormed Parliament. That moment of national pressure eventually pushed President William Ruto to backtrack and withdraw the bill. However, the police crackdown that followed left at least 60 people dead and many others detained without charge.
Despite the trauma and violence, Adan believes the protests revealed more than just public anger. “It exposed the desperation of a system clinging to power,” she said. For her, activism continues. She has remained vocal on issues such as police brutality and women’s rights and sees the streets as an essential space for civic expression.
Others have taken a different path. Kasmuel McOure, 27, who became known for his sharp commentary and polished style during the protests, has now entered mainstream politics. He has aligned himself with veteran politician Raila Odinga, who has since partnered with the ruling government. “I’m a party man through and through,” McOure said. His shift has been criticized by many who see it as abandoning the original values of the movement.
McOure argues that real political change requires engaging with the system, not resisting it from the outside. He believes that while the protests were powerful, they lacked structure and long-term vision. “We need young people to take power, but we have to be strategic,” he explained, adding that many protest leaders were more focused on noise than solutions.
Adan sees it differently. She agrees that young people must step into political roles but insists this can be done without aligning with the country’s dominant and often corrupt parties. “A lot of youth no longer want to protest from the sidelines. They want to lead and shape policy directly,” she said. She believes in independent political engagement and that young leaders are now stepping up to run for positions at both the local and national levels.
For Adan, the Gen Z movement’s internal disagreements are not a weakness but a reflection of its growing maturity. “These are the same people who endured teargas, who organized medical support, digital campaigns, and legal aid. Now, they’re preparing to lead from inside the system, not to protect it, but to change it.”
The legacy of the protests is still taking shape. While the youth remain united in their desire for change, their paths forward are as diverse as the movement itself.
By Yockshard Enyendi