Youth vs. the System: Can Gen Z Reshape Kenya’s Political Landscape?

Kenya’s Generation Z, born from 1997 to 2012, is flexing its newfound political muscle. According to the IEBC, 5.6 million of its members will be eligible voters by 2027, representing a massive electoral shift. Already, Gen Z has challenged power through digital activism: the #RejectFinanceBill2024, a hashtag-driven protest against proposed taxation, rapidly spread via Twitter, TikTok, and X, ultimately prompting parts of the bill to be scrapped.

Yet economic disillusionment remains. A June 2025 GeoPoll report shows 31 % of protesters cited political dissatisfaction as their main motivation, with 65 % receiving protest news exclusively via social media. The consequences were severe; 31 deaths and hundreds of arrests during the Saba Saba protests, sparked by the suspicious police custody death of blogger Albert Ojwang.

While digital activism is powerful, Gen Z isn’t just shouting from behind screens, they’re stepping into the political ring. A notable example is Billy Mwangi, a young activist and former abductee allegedly targeted for his vocal stance during the protests, who has now declared his candidacy for the Embu Senate seat in the upcoming 2027 general elections. His bold move embodies the new energy coursing through Kenya’s political veins.

But this also raises critical questions: Are they ready? Are they competent? Is surviving abduction or being “loud enough” a sufficient qualification for political leadership? While their courage and passion are undeniable, effective governance requires more; policy knowledge, ethical grounding, leadership skills, and the ability to unify, not just mobilize.

Research paints a mixed picture. Gen Z in Kenya is more politically aware, digitally active, and less tolerant of corruption, but often lacks institutional experience. They are also highly susceptible to misinformation, thanks to their reliance on unverified content circulating on social media.

Conclusion

Gen Z Kenya is no longer passive. With social media as their rallying ground and some now stepping into the ballot arena, this generation is poised to redefine Kenyan politics. But the real test lies ahead; not just in how loud they can be online, but in how effectively they can lead offline. Kenya doesn’t just need change, it needs competent change.