Nchi yetu ya Kenya tunayoipenda, tuwe tayari kuilinda. (“And our homeland of Kenya, Heritage of splendour, Firm may we stand to defend.”) Kenya’s national anthem.

As Kenya stands at a crossroads, it’s evident that the traditional approaches to addressing citizen voices—especially those of the youth are no longer working. The country’s vibrant, creative, and digitally savvy young generation is setting the national agenda in ways unimaginable a decade ago. But beneath the energy lies frustration, anger, and a demand for real change.

Gen Z, Digital Platforms, and a Growing Crisis

Many young Kenyans today are not active voters—some by choice, others by systemic disenfranchisement. Yet, their growing awareness of their collective power, amplified by digital platforms, has turned them into a force that cannot be ignored. Mobilization is faster, narratives are sharper, and misinformation spreads like wildfire—creating a highly charged environment fueled by both youthful idealism and political manipulation.

The result? Political extremism, deepening generational divides, and mounting social unrest. The old playbook arrests, intimidation, and political rhetoric is proving ineffective, even counterproductive. As anger simmers online and on the streets, Kenya risks slipping into a cycle of unrest and radicalization unless leaders pivot to a new approach.

Is Anyone Listening?

The national conversation is drowning in noise—factual and false. Social media, once a beacon of free expression, is now a double-edged sword where hate, anger, and misinformation thrive. Political factions are turning digital spaces into battlegrounds, with the cheering crowds—many of them youth—blindly following, unaware of the dangerous precipice ahead.

Kenya has seen this before. Tribal militias, political violence, and extremist recruitment often find fertile ground in times like these. Are we paying enough attention? Or are we too caught up in the blame game to notice the warning signs?

Lessons Forgotten

Past successes like the National Counter Terrorism Strategy showed the power of inclusive, adaptive approaches in calming youth unrest. Today, however, those lessons seem forgotten. Instead of engagement, we see insults. Instead of dialogue, we see crackdowns. And amid all this, the voice of reason is getting lost.

The Youth Deserve More

Kenya’s youth make up over 75% of the population (aged 0–34), according to the 2019 census. They are energetic, creative, and full of potential—but they are also grappling with poverty, unemployment, and limited opportunities. Vision 2030 promised a prosperous, globally competitive nation. Yet the gap between policy and implementation remains painfully wide.

The country’s demographic dividend a window of opportunity where a high working-age population drives economic growth is slipping away. Quality education, affordable healthcare, skills training, and job creation are critical, yet progress remains slow. Kenya has a roadmap, but roadmaps don’t build nations—action does.

Time for a Reset

The youth need leaders who will listen—not lecture. They need policies that prioritize their aspirations, not recycled political slogans. They need media literacy programs to navigate the flood of misinformation and meaningful platforms for civic engagement.

Above all, Kenya needs a national conversation grounded in mutual respect and accountability. This is not about appeasement; it’s about survival. The cost of ignoring this moment could be catastrophic.

“A just society is not built by force or fear, but by accountability on all sides—from citizens to state officers,” as Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris recently said. Kenya must heed these words before it’s too late.