Gen Z Is Not Passing Cloud But Seismic Change

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) was the 32^nd President of the United States of America and longest serving U.S. president. He faced challenges of the Great Depression and the World War II and its consequences. Assuming the Presidency at the depth of the Great Depression, Roosevelt helped the American people regain faith in themselves. He brought hope as he promised prompt, vigorous action, and asserted in his Inaugural Address, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself”. He proceeded to implement a sweeping New Deal that ushered the USA global economic, financial, cultural and military hegemony since 1945.

Kenya’s Independence generation leaders had political philosophy and vision of a highly centralized state and state-controlled economy. This generation dismembered progressive Independent Constitution to realize their political desire and vision. After 60 Years of a highly centralized state and economy, it is a historic moment for a new generation of leaders to define new political philosophy and vision for now and future Kenya.

The progressive and transformational Constitution of Kenya 2010 did reimage and reconfigure the country. Its principles and values reflect the past journey and cast the vision for the future of the country based on the values of equality, inclusion, participation, openness and sustainability.

Kenya at crossroad

Kenya is at political and generational crossroad. The country is facing severe problems of worsened poverty, increased inequalities, very low economic productivity, large unemployment and low trust in government. The challenges in country’s economy have overtime been worsened by bad political decisions that have adversely affected economic outcomes.

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The Gen Z protests of the June 2024 were a pivotal moment of the country in ushering in a new movement for radical change. It was not a passing cloud but the beginning of the seismic change. The world is in turmoil. The old order is facing its demise. Every time such global eventuality happens, its domino effects reverberate locally.

Kenya is at a pivotal moment to imaginatively, and with a unity of purpose, redefine its economic and political landscape for 21^st century. The current conjuncture defined by the Gen Z presents an opportunity to reset the country’s new political, economic and security order.  It is an opportunity to build a new, inclusive economy that benefits all Kenyans. This is a moment for a permanent and decisive break with the past.

While the rejection of the Finance Bill was a central focus of the protests, the demonstrations by Gen Z were fueled by a broader range of grievances and a desire for systemic change. The bill served as a catalyst, but the protests reflected a deeper discontent with the state of the economy, perceived government corruption, and a lack of accountability.

Gen Z fighting for the future

The fight against the Finance Bill was about more than just a failed economic policy; it’s a battle for their future. Gen Z feel betrayed by a government that promised change but delivered disappointment. They protest not just against punitive finance bill, but against a system rigged against them. This is rigged system against Kenyan people in every sphere of life from economy, health, education, livelihoods, governance, and opportunities. In everything Kenyans are suffocated. They cannot breathe. They believe they can create a new path, where their voices are heard and their futures safeguarded

Gen Z protests marked the beginning of a new chapter in Kenya’s history, written by a generation that refuses to accept the status quo. As they march, they carry the dreams of a brighter tomorrow. The first three words in the 2010 Constitution of Kenya, “We the People,” capture the foundational principle that the government derives its powers from the consent of the governed, whom it exists to serve.

Unfortunately, the current extractive political, economic and security system is outmoded. It has an irreparably run its course. It must face root and branch reset. It is end of 62 years of human and economic deprivation to Kenyan people. This is not working the system. No! It is political and economic seismic change of the system. GEN Z are about uprooting and changing the extractive system that has dehumanized, deprived and brutalized Kenyan people in their millions.

Push for alternative leadership

The Gen Z are propelling the path for the emergence of an alternative leadership for Kenya. The building blocks of vision and philosophy of this alternative leadership is outlined in the 2010 Constitution of Kenya inter alia:  principles of sovereignty of people, primacy of the Constitution, social and economic rights, devolution and dispersal of powers and resources, equal society and public expenditure guaranteeing equitable development, fair taxation and ethical governance.

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The center of gravity of the Kenya old politics of regional kingpins and ethnic blocks has significantly shifted. The People of Kenya are hungering for a transformative 21st Century system. After the political democracy era, it is an economic democracy century.

Gen Z are sending clear unequivocal messages. Our choices are human freedom and human dignity, clean and efficient governance, and bold and forward-thinking leadership. Our purpose is to serve our people and their interest; guard and extend their human freedoms; satisfying basic needs and uplifting Kenyan people from state of despair and economic poverty; and strengthen our country to effectively and efficiently compete globally. We will democratize our economy, guarantee human dignity and protect human freedoms. We will build stronger, better and prouder Kenya.

Better leadership

Gen Z are concerned with now and new generations prospects for better life and high living standards. The world has changed. The old order must die.  It must be wiped out. We must end transactional dealership politics. We must end the parasitic, predatory and cruel leadership. They want leadership that is authentic and less about power but more about empowerment. It is a time for a new generation of leadership.

Gen Z are saying that the country has had a national decline rather than national greatness. It has been competition between private interests rather than public good while the geopolitics, economic, demographics and security dynamics of the world have significantly shifted. The world is in the new era of great power competition from diplomatic, economic, security to technology. We live in world with unprecedented challenges and equally with unmatched opportunities. The world production hubs have fundamentally changed. We are in knowledge and technology age. Tools of yesterday cannot meet needs of today and tomorrow.

Parting shot by Gen Z: We are in the midst of an historic and fundamental transition on the future direction of our country. We must dismantle the economic and political colonial state we inherited at the independence. We must chart a new radical course. We are beyond business-as-usual era. This is the moment for bold forward-looking leadership and new system order.

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This article was written by Ndung’u Wainaina, a Transitional Justice and Human Security Fellow @NdunguWainaina.