Political activist Morara Kebaso has questioned whether the Gen Z movement in Kenya truly achieved anything meaningful, or if it was just a losing battle.
In a statement shared on his X account on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, he reflected on the risks taken by many participants, including losing jobs, injuries, and even deaths, asking whether the youth could count a single victory that changed the country.
“Many people risked their jobs for the Gen Z movement. Some were fired, others were injured, while others died painful deaths. To this day, the GenZs can we count a single victory of something that changed in our country? Why?” he expressed.
Protests, chaos and losses
The Gen Z movement first erupted in June 2024, triggered by anger over the proposed Finance Bill 2024, which sought new taxes on essentials like bread, sanitary products, motor vehicles, and mobile-money transfers. Young people used social media platforms to mobilise, educate peers, and organise protests across the country. The movement voiced broader discontent over chronic youth unemployment, corruption, nepotism, and poor governance.
Protests again erupted in 2025, escalating in scale and intensity. The demonstrations saw people killed and hundreds injured. Thousands were arrested, and dozens disappeared. Businesses were looted or destroyed, including shops, stalls, and supermarkets.
In Nairobi’s CBD, many stores closed ahead of the protests, while others never reopened after being ransacked or burned, leaving business owners with losses running into millions of shillings.
Large-scale disruptions affected transport services and daily life across counties. Roads were blocked, shops looted, and many residents could not carry out normal activities, further worsening economic hardship.
Despite these losses and risks, the core grievances of the youth remain largely unresolved. Youth unemployment continues to rise, opportunities remain limited, and complaints over corruption, poor governance, and police brutality persist.
