Today could turn out to be a decisive day for the continuation of the protests of Generation Z in Kenya: that inhomogeneous group united by the average age, practically all of them under 35, like about eighty per cent of the Kenyan population, but made up of different entities, even according to the geographical areas of the country. We have the techies, which does not mean just being on social and taking selfies, but using techniques to spread their message, artificial intelligence, connections between various platforms and so on. Then there are the young imitators, who also hope that through these protests a bit of notoriety will come to them, and why not a handful of shillings through the content they offer especially on TikTok, which has an easy monetisation system that also reaches Mpesa.
So to attract attention, the proclamations become more and more original, loaded, aggressive. They seek the catchphrase, the clamour, the surprise effect. Like in a fiction, in a play.
There are the ideological ones, who probably really believe in the protests, who also dream of becoming leaders and changing the politics of their country, those who lack education and naively think that it is necessary to make a fuss in order to change something, those who hate the police regardless (and in Kenya they have some reason, seeing how they behave). Then there are the young people who are hired by various parties for different interests and consequently have well-defined roles: from those who are simply there to safeguard the activities in the areas affected by the demonstrations, to the professional political agitators, especially in small cities and towns where there are feuds between MPs, governors or small local bosses, and finally the thugs and petty criminals who can't wait for a bit of confusion, to slip into the masses and take advantage of it, bringing home something to turn the day or the week, even at the risk of leaving their skins behind, so as not to lose out.
The real Generation Z may only exist at the registry office, now we will have to see if they will remain united in their main and touted intention, which is to send President Ruto home. The well-known hashtag #rutomustgo.
For today, many of the programmes circulated on the net (too many, and some assure that this is a misdirection, to confuse ideas and reduce the 'core' of organised gatherings) foresee the occupation of territory through peaceful sit-ins (#occupyognicity or #everyarea, such as the CBD in Nairobi or squares and municipal gardens in other locations, if not #occupyeverywhere). Slogans that are very easy, especially for young people, to prepare from home, in front of a computer or even a mobile phone. More complicated, especially when protests have to become a way to convince one's peers to participate actively, to create more engaging and creative reasons to gather. Especially if you don't have (and don't want) enlightened leaders and especially financiers behind you.
The fact remains that Kenya is always ready to amaze us and usually does so in a positive way, erasing even tragedies to be reborn each time as the wilderness has taught it.