Kenyan Gen Z has taken a bold and unsettling turn in preparing for nationwide protests against the proposed Finance Bill 2024. Across TikTok, X, Facebook, and Instagram, young Kenyans are sharing eulogies, crafted with heartfelt detail, names, birth dates, and even projected dates of death, intended to prepare their loved ones for the worst if they don’t return home from the protests.
These digital tributes are evoking strong emotions and concern. Each one resembles a real funeral announcement: black borders, flower motifs, sombre portraits, and messages requesting followers to inform their families in case of fatality. It’s a form of protest laced with defiance, but also a grim reflection of the risks protesters believe they face in confronting police brutality and a state they see as unresponsive to their cries.
Why Are Young Kenyans Writing Their Own Eulogies?
The move gained traction after DJ Eduhmaks, a rising DJ and trained mechanical engineer, shared his self-written eulogy on X. His message was stirring:
“In case they shoot me tomorrow, read this loud to my mom and dad and tell them I did my best. Born in Kisii, raised with humility and hope, Edwin carried the dreams of many… He died standing for something, for change. We will carry his torch. We will echo his cry. We will take back the country he loved so much.”
His post resonated with thousands and quickly ignited a wave of similar messages from across the country.
How Has the Internet Reacted to This Trend?
On TikTok, content creator David Wachira (aka JNationist) posted his “farewell shoot,” complete with a caption reading: “In Loving Memory of David Wachira (JNationist). Born April 17, 2000 – Rested June 25, 2025.” His post has received over 26,000 likes and 3,000 comments, mostly supportive, with viewers praising his bravery.
Meanwhile, popular mortician and TikTok creator Ann Mwangangi found herself flooded with direct calls from concerned youths asking her to reserve morgue spaces. Some went as far as calling her hospital and workplace.
“I had more than 20 calls… Somebody called my hospital. Somebody called where I work and they’re like, ‘Hi, are you okay?’” she shared.
Mwangangi revealed a shocking incident where a Gen Z supporter sent her Ksh.1,000 as a down payment for body preservation services.
“I asked him what he was paying for… he surprised me that he was paying for morgue!”
What Is Driving the June 25 Protests?
Initially sparked by opposition to the Finance Bill 2024, the protests have evolved into a widespread resistance against corruption, government overspending, extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, and the rising cost of living. Kenya’s Gen Z, armed with phones and unwavering conviction, has led the charge, combining street action with digital activism in a way that is shaking the country’s conscience.
By Yockshard Enyendi
