BARUA YA BARAZA: The State of Kenyan Youth
Greetings, friends:
Last week I was in Stellenbosch, South Africa where I had the privilege of participating in the Africa in the World Festival, hosted by the mercurial Nigerian journalist and publisher Dele Olojede. During my session, I explored the protests in Kenya earlier this year, taking a deep dive into how the media shaped the movement. It was an incredible experience to share insights from the ground with fellow thinkers and practitioners from across the continent. Here’s what I found particularly striking when I was preparing my remarks about Kenya’s Gen Z protests and the broader context surrounding them.
For many, the economic landscape in Kenya is at the core of this unrest. Over the past decade, we’ve seen an undeniable shift in the way young people contribute to their households. According to this landmark research by Shujaaz Inc., 100% of 15-24-year-olds are now expected to contribute financially, compared to just 47% in 2016. The result is a generation forced to take on financial responsibilities much earlier than previous ones. Gone are the days when they could fully rely on their parents for support.
Now, if we add the stark reality of Kenya’s job market, it becomes even clearer why young people are frustrated. Each year, nearly a million young people enter the labour force, but only 5% of them find work in the formal sector. The remaining 95% end up in the informal economy, navigating precarious work with little job security. In many ways, informal work has become the norm for Kenyan youth, shaping how they interact with the economy and, subsequently, with the political system.
The backdrop to this ongoing unrest is a loss of faith in formal politics. By the time voter registration closed in 2022, less than 2.3 million Kenyans aged 18-24 had registered to vote, representing only 10% of the total electorate (that age group accounted for 28% of potential voters). When asked why, many young people expressed a deep distrust in the ability of political leaders to meaningfully improve their lives.
Yet, despite this disillusionment, their commitment to democratic values remains strong. The 2024 protests are proof that Kenya’s youth are anything but apathetic. They have simply found alternative ways to make their voices heard, leveraging media, technology, and collective action to challenge the status quo.
The protests continue – young Kenyans are now voicing their outrage over the controversial JKIA/Adani deal, with many questioning the opaque terms of the agreement. Meanwhile, the horrific Endarasha dorm fire last week, which claimed the lives of dozens of pupils, has sparked further unrest, as the public demands answers and accountability for the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. These ongoing agitations reflect a generation that is unafraid to take on entrenched power structures—whether in politics, corporate interests, or institutional failures.
In the meantime, here’s:
What I’m Reading: Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World, a book by Anand Giridharadas. In all honesty, I’m going to need some time to recover from reading this – for someone in my line of work, this is the kind of book that changes your world.
What I’m Watching: Bloodline, on Netflix. It’s one of Netflix’s early original shows, an searing production in many ways. Quoting this review, “On the face of it, Bloodline is a story about a beautiful environment punctuated by a querulous, deceptive and ultimately murderous family. But it’s about much more than that. Heavy Biblical references and mythological themes play themselves out in this seemingly ordinary, though extraordinary, TV drama.”
What I’m Listening to: Njora wa Manjaro, the debut album of Elsaphan Njora, whom you might recognise as an actor and part of the improv crew Because You Said So. He also happens to be a formidable musician, both a performing and recording artist, and if you attended his album launch two weeks ago, you’ll agree that that was a life-changing experience. I’m not exaggerating when I say there are few moments in my life where I’ve experienced a show so incredibly beautiful, powerful, and healing.
My best,
Christine Mungai
Curator | Baraza Media La
AFRICA MEDIA FESTIVAL 2025
After two incredible editions with over 50 sessions, 120 speakers and 1,300+ attendees – Africa Media Festival is back for its third edition!
Join us in Nairobi, Kenya, on 19th and 20th February 2025, where we will gather the continent’s brightest media minds, creatives, and innovators for a one-of-a-kind experience – what many are calling the “Africa Media Village.”
For more details and secure your early bird ticket at 25% off, click here.