Gen Z shows the power of digital activism on the streets of Kenya

Police fire tear gas to clear protesters against the proposed government tax bill in the Central Business District of Nairobi, Kenya, on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. Anti-government demonstrators have called for a shutdown of the economy over revenue-raising measures they say are pushing more of the nation's 54 million people into poverty. Photographer: Kang-Chen Chung/Bloomberg via Getty Images

By Job Mwaura

1 Jul 2024

Digital-savvy young people started a movement that translated online pressure into physical protest.

Nationwide demonstrations have erupted in Kenya over a controversial tax bill. The Finance Bill 2024, initially presented to parliament in May, has sparked discontent with an increase in an array of taxes and levies for Kenyans.

The mass protests, initially organised in the capital, Nairobi, have spread across the country. Demonstrations have taken place in almost every city and major town.

Digital media and activism expert Job Mwaura shares his insights on how the protests were first mobilised online and then in the streets.

How are Kenyans using the digital space in this movement?

This is a powerful moment for digital activism. The protests have seen significant participation from young Kenyans who are using digital media to organise and voice their opposition.

A great number of those driving the protests are from Generation Z. These individuals were born roughly between the late 1990s and early 2010s and are characterised by their digital prowess and social consciousness. They have created this organic, grassroots movement that has used platforms like social media to mobilise and coordinate efforts quickly.

Through my work I’ve documented how essential digital media has been in political participation in Kenya over the past decade, particularly among marginalised communities such as young people and women.

In the current protests we are seeing just how innovative activists can be when using digital media. The digital tools and strategies employed today are taking activism to an entirely new level. They showcase a sophistication and reach that would’ve been hard to imagine.

They have deployed a number of old and new strategies. Among the new has been artificial intelligence (AI), which has been used to create images, songs and videos that amplify the movement’s messages and reach a wider audience. AI was also used to help educate wider audiences about the bill. Developers, for instance, created specialised GPT (generative pre-trained transformer) models designed to answer questions about the finance bill.

Platforms like TikTok and X are being used to share videos of people explaining the finance bill in various Kenyan dialects.

Hashtags such as #OccupyParliament and #RejectFinanceBill2024 trended on social media platforms for several days, further highlighting the power of digital activism in mobilising support and maintaining the momentum of the protests.

And then there has been very successful crowdfunding through digital platforms. This has enabled supporters to send money for transport, allowing more people to join the protests in Nairobi’s central business district.

Another method they have used has been hacking government websites, disrupting services and drawing attention to their cause.

Personal information, such as the phone numbers of political leaders, were leaked to allow protesters to spam them with SMS and WhatsApp messages. This forced the office of the data protection commissioner to issue a statement warning them to stop.

Activists have also created a website featuring a “wall of shame” that lists politicians who support the bill. This helped the protestors to increase pressure on parliamentarians to potentially change their stance. Some constituents are taking steps to recall their MPs.

What stands out for you?

That these protests are organic and that young people are playing a pivotal role. They have long felt dejected and neglected by the government. This widespread sense of disenfranchisement among them was a ticking time bomb and it has finally exploded into fervent activism.

Unlike previous protests, these demonstrations emerged spontaneously from the grassroots. This shift underscores a significant transition in Kenyan politics. We are witnessing a shift from ethnic-based mobilisation to issue-based activism.

Gen Z digital activism Kenya Police fire tear gas to clear protesters against the proposed government tax bill in Nairobi, Kenya, on 25 June 2024. Anti-government demonstrators called for a shutdown of the economy over revenue-raising measures they say are pushing more of the nation's 54 million people into poverty. (Photo: Kang-Chen Chung / Bloomberg via Getty Images)

People are not coming together based on their tribe. They are uniting to fight for specific issues that affect their daily lives, such as economic policies, government accountability and social justice.

This new form of activism reflects a growing political maturity among Kenyans, who are prioritising shared concerns over ethnic divisions. It sets a new precedent for addressing social and political issues in the country.

What has also stood out is how digital activism has driven nationwide physical protests. Young people have moved off their screens and onto the streets, forcing leaders to listen and even make amendments to the finance bill before it was passed.

This shows how online efforts can translate into real-world changes.

It demonstrates the power and effectiveness of digital activism in shaping political discourse and policy.

Digital activism provides a powerful platform for diverse voices to be heard, catalysing change. It has enabled the fast mobilisation of support, bridged gaps between diverse groups and brought attention to pressing issues in real time.

For many years, digital media activism has been labelled “slacktivism,” a term that refers to minimal effort activities like liking, sharing or commenting online, which are perceived as having little real-world impact.

However, these recent events show that political leaders can succumb to online pressure. They demonstrate that even small changes initiated online can lead to substantial outcomes.

Are there any drawbacks in using the digital space for activism?

Digital media is vulnerable to government censorship and interference. During recent protests in Kenya, there were suspected signs of the internet being slowed down, resulting in increased buffering, lags in downloading files and disruptions to services on certain apps.

Despite these challenges, the impact of digital activism cannot be understated. It has revolutionised how people mobilise, communicate and advocate change. DM

First published by The Conversation.

Job Mwaura is a postdoctoral researcher at the Wits Centre for Journalism of the University of the Witwatersrand.

This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.

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How are Kenyans using the digital space in this movement?

What stands out for you?

Are there any drawbacks in using the digital space for activism?