Kenya is in Flames: The Youth are Hungry For Justice, Accountability and Fairness

Flag of Kenya. Image source: pixabay

Living in Kenya for the past several weeks has been like being inside a cyclone. The sort of storm that brings not just wind and rain but also rage, tears, fire, and bloodshed. Tension lingers in the air like smoke after a fire, making it difficult to even define the current environment. One question remains unanswered for those of us who are closely seeing and experiencing this historical moment: how did we get here?

Like a match before it ignites, it all began subtly. In June 2025, blogger and educator Albert Omondi Ojwang passed away while being held by the authorities. Because of his online criticism of a top police officer, he had been detained. Authorities gave a hasty and icy explanation, saying he had "fallen and hit his head." The autopsy, however, revealed different. The inside injuries and the bruises told a different tale. Young people in Kenya decided they had had enough after hearing that narrative.

It wasn't merely a protest that followed. It developed into a movement. One without official leaders, without face-adorned posters, and without truck megaphones. Rather, a generation that grew up on the internet and mobile phones provided the power. With their anger, fearlessness, and unafraidness to speak the truth, Gen Z grabbed the lead. They were marching for more than Albert. They were protesting in protest of every injustice they had witnessed their parents face and every unfulfilled promise made by the country.

We have witnessed similar fervent protests before. Massive protests over a Finance Bill that promised to further burden Kenya's already impoverished inhabitants rocked the country only last year. High living expenses, taxes, unemployment, and a feeling that the government was no longer paying attention drove many to the brink. Nineteen people died in a single day in 2024 when protesters overran Parliament. The administration pledged at the time to take a backseat and reevaluate its strategy. A few of us thought that perhaps, just possibly, things might get better. However, the optimism soon gave way to more pain and quiet.

It feels different this time. There is more to it than a single law or budget. It concerns a generation that has decided, "We've had enough." And that message was harsh and loud on Sabbath Day, July 7. The day, which honors the historic demonstrations for multi-party democracy in 1990, became a battleground throughout Kenya. In Nairobi, police blocked roads. In almost a dozen counties, protesters flooded the streets. They lighted fires. Stores were looted. Supermarkets were demolished. The worst of it, though? The human price.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights claims that just the Saba Saba demonstrations claimed 31 lives. There were more than 100 injuries. Over five hundred people were taken into custody. And in the midst of all this confusion, two individuals just vanished. Their relatives continue to wait, hope, and fear. At least fifty people have died as a result of these demonstrations since June. And that figure may increase.

What could have been done differently, I find myself wondering? Was it not possible for the administration to meet with the people? Did you hear the young person? Dealt with the rage before it became blood and fire? President William Ruto has adopted a firm approach instead. He has pointed the finger at opposing politicians. He added that he has given the police permission to shoot aggressive protestors "in the leg," not to kill them. However, even that wording makes me shiver. When your country's leader approves live ammunition, what does that mean?

At one point, Ruto was seen as a leader who understood the average person. His ascent was hailed as a triumph for the "hustler nation." However, many of his erstwhile fans are now living on the streets, where they are being attacked with rubber bullets and tear gas. What was different? Was power involved? Was pressure involved? Or has he just become detached from the suffering of ordinary Kenyans due to the burden of governance?

The youth, meanwhile, are not giving up. They are using anonymous X accounts, WhatsApp groups, and TikTok to organize online. Political parties are not trusted by them. Figureheads are not what they desire. They have no leader and no face, yet their movement is fierce. They are creating a new chapter for our nation, and even though the government hasn't seen it yet, every mother's cry, every hospital door, and every street corner are already publishing that chapter.

In addition, hospitals themselves have not been exempt. In the midst of the protests, facilities in Nairobi and other cities were damaged. Nurses and patients fled for their lives. The security personnel were overwhelmed. It was difficult to identify the adversary in those situations—protesters, looters, or the system that fostered this type of chaos—because the distinction between a protest and a crisis was hazy.

Nevertheless, there is a tenacious sort of hope amidst the debris. Numerous police officers have already faced charges or suspensions. The deputy inspector general who was working on Ojwang's case has resigned. Human rights organizations and international organizations like the UN are speaking out and calling for justice, restraint, and inquiries. Some government representatives are starting to realize that using force alone won't resolve the issue.

Is that sufficient, though?

Kenya is shedding blood. Not from smashed windows or bullets alone. It is gushing from the scars of neglect, silence, and betrayal. The reason behind every young person carrying a sign is their perception that their future is slipping away. Each chant is an appeal for honor. The fragility of freedom is brought home by each tear gas canister that falls on a street corner.

We run the danger of losing more than just lives if we don't pause and pay attention to what this generation has to say. We run the danger of losing Kenya's future. Ruto is not the only issue here. Politicians and the police are not the only factors involved. We are all involved.

Tomorrow, the demonstrations could stop. The roads could get clear. The news could change. However, the memories will endure. And young people won't forget.

As someone who genuinely loves our nation, I am pleading with you to not wait for the next tragedy to occur. Now let's take action. Let's tell the truth to the powerful. Let's expect responsibility in deeds as well as words. Above all, let's keep in mind that a nation is only as strong as its citizens, and at this moment, those citizens are pleading for assistance.

Kenya needs to pay attention.

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