00:00Youth-led protests have erupted across Africa from Egypt to Sudan and Kenya, and have often been met with violence as governments attempt to silence dissent.
00:12A common demand among these youth protests is for good governance. However, democracy on the continent often exists more in appearance than in practice.
00:22According to Afrobarometer surveys, about 60% of young Africans expressed dissatisfaction with their democracies.
00:30Despite this discontent, young people are typically less likely than older generations to engage in activities that promote change, such as voting or activism.
00:42But this trend is changing. In Nigeria, for instance, young people mobilized during the 2020 hashtag NSAS protests against police harassment.
00:52What began as a peaceful protest escalated into violence after the military was deployed, resulting in the tragic Leki massacre.
01:01While several commissions were established to investigate the incident, it remains unclear whether any of the security personnel involved faced consequences for their actions.
01:12A similar situation is evident in Kenya, where protests erupted in June 2024 against a new tax bill.
01:20During these demonstrations, about 60 people lost their lives, and many were arbitrarily detained.
01:27A year later, no state security agents have been convicted, although some are currently on trial.
01:34Nonetheless, the so-called Gen Z protest movement has significantly changed youth activism across Kenya.
01:42In places like Nyeri, Nakuru, Kisumu, Mombasa and Eldoret, young people who had previously felt politically sidelined have become active participants in national discourse.
01:54The protests redefined what it means to be politically active in Kenya, no longer tied to party loyalty or tribalism.
