Kenya is witnessing a generational shift that has reshaped how power and accountability are perceived. At the forefront of this transformation is Generation Z: tech-savvy, globally connected, and unrelenting in their pursuit of transparency and justice.
This cohort, born into the digital age, is leveraging its mastery of technology to demand accountability from governments, corporations, and individuals. Kenya’s youth-led activism mirrors a broader global trend, with recent examples such as the fall of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed demonstrating the formidable power of youth movements in reshaping governance.
The transformation in Kenya became undeniable in 2024, with key events spotlighting the youth's growing influence. One of the significant defining moments was the #RejectFinanceBill2024 protests. When the government proposed a Finance Bill with increased taxation, Kenya’s youth, leveraging social media platforms, mobilised leaderless, inclusive demonstrations that transcended ethnic and political divides.
The protests drew nationwide attention, leading to the rejection of the Bill by President William Ruto and a broader public debate about government transparency and fiscal responsibility.
Following this, another spotlight moment was the exposure of the controversial Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) leasing proposal involving Indian multinational Adani Group. The youth-led outcry over the deal, amplified through social media, mobilised public opinion and forced legal and legislative scrutiny. The rejection of the proposed deal set a new precedent, showing how Gen Z could dismantle opaque agreements that jeopardised public assets.
PHOTO 29
Photo credit: Photo |BONFACE BOGITA | NATION
Expanding accountability to the private sector
Kenya’s Gen Z revolution is not limited to government oversight; it has expanded to include the private sector. A striking example of this shift was the engagement with the CEO of Spiro, an electric motorcycle company. In the past, reaching out to corporate leaders often felt futile. Emails and messages sent to corporate executives were often ignored. But all this changed through the approach that has come to be known as the "Asalimiwe Strategy" (loosely translated to "let him or her be greeted").
However, in practice, the Asalimiwe Strategy is far from passive. It is an assertive call to action: young activists use publicly available mobile numbers and email addresses to directly ask tough questions to targeted individuals. These questions are then posted online to encourage others to do the same, creating a snowball effect of public pressure. By piling on inquiries and ensuring widespread visibility, this strategy makes it nearly impossible for the targeted individuals to ignore the public’s demands.
This approach has rendered silence an untenable response. In the case of Spiro, sustained public engagement compelled the company’s leadership to address concerns regarding tax incentives and their operations. Gen Zs persistence has reshaped power dynamics, ensuring that private companies are held to the same standards of transparency as public institutions. The days when corporate leaders could dismiss accountability with silence are firmly behind us.
Legal battles as a catalyst for transparency
Another pivotal moment came through the legal battle initiated by businessman Jayesh Saini against me in France after I exposed his alleged corrupt dealings in Kenya’s health sector. This lawsuit, meant to silence criticism, instead became a rallying point for public discourse on accountability. The French court’s dismissal of the case and the award of legal fees underscored an important truth: those handling public resources — whether governments, corporations, or individuals — cannot escape scrutiny.
This victory was more than personal; it symbolised the broader Gen Z movement’s success in challenging entrenched systems of impunity. Their ability to spotlight and amplify such cases ensures that attempts to suppress whistleblowers or avoid accountability will face relentless public pressure.
Kenya’s Gen Z revolution is part of a larger global movement reshaping how youth demand change. In late 2024, Bangladesh experienced a seismic political shift when youth-led protests culminated in the fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed. The protests, driven by demands for free and fair elections and an end to authoritarian practices, were organised through digital platforms, allowing for rapid mobilisation and global solidarity.
This mirrors other youth-led movements, from Nigeria’s #EndSARS protests against police brutality to the Fridays for Future climate strikes led by Greta Thunberg. These movements share common traits: they are tech-savvy, decentralised and unyielding in their demands for transparency and justice.
In Kenya, this global influence was evident during the #RejectFinanceBill2024 protests, where youth mobilised leaderless, inclusive demonstrations that transcended ethnic and political divides. Similarly, the rejection of the Adani-JKIA deal aligns with global efforts to hold corporations accountable, including America’s youth movements challenging tech giants over privacy violations or European campaigns pushing for stronger corporate social responsibility.
At the heart of these youth movements lies technology. Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram have become powerful tools for organising, educating, and amplifying causes. In Kenya, applications like Zello and Artificial Intelligence-driven tools allowed activists to coordinate protests and decode complex policies in real time, empowering even those without formal political training to engage effectively.
This technological edge has turned youth activism into a dynamic, borderless phenomenon. From coordinating protests in Dhaka to amplifying campaigns in Nairobi, digital tools have made it possible for movements to gain momentum quickly and demand accountability on a global scale.
Cultural shifts and new norms
Beyond policy changes, youth movements are driving profound cultural shifts. In Kenya, the leaderless protests against the Finance Bill broke traditional barriers, uniting diverse groups under a common cause. This inclusivity and grassroots approach reflect a broader global trend, where youth movements are less hierarchical and more collaborative.
These movements are also redefining societal expectations around governance, equality, and corporate ethics. In Bangladesh, the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government highlighted a rejection of authoritarianism and a demand for democratic norms. In Kenya, the push for accountability in both the public and private sectors is setting new benchmarks for transparency and ethical behaviour.
A global blueprint for change
Kenya’s Gen Z, like their counterparts in Bangladesh and beyond, has shown that accountability is no longer negotiable. By combining digital tools with relentless activism, they have redefined what it means to hold power to account. Their successes in dismantling corrupt deals, challenging corporate giants, and forcing legal reforms suggest that a more transparent and equitable future is possible—not just for Kenya, but globally.
From Nairobi to Dhaka, these youth-led movements are shaping a world where power is held to higher standards of transparency and justice. They are not just the leaders of tomorrow — they are the changemakers of today, proving that even the most entrenched systems can be challenged and transformed by a generation unwilling to accept the status quo.
The writer is a management consultant, whistleblower and active citizen
