In June 2024, many young people took to the streets to oppose the Finance Bill and push for better governance. The protests led to real changes, including the withdrawal of the bill and greater attention on issues like accountability and police conduct.
Years later, on the anniversary, fewer people joined the demonstrations compared to before. This lower turnout has sparked discussion about what happened to the energy seen in 2024.
In a recent conversation on Political Ringside, political commentator Leakey Ochola and host Fridah Mong’are looked at these changes.
They noted that some well-known Gen Z voices have joined established political parties.
For example, Kasmuel moved to ODM, and Morara Kebaso joined Jubilee.
Ochola pointed out that protests are important, but they need clear goals and follow-through.
He said young people showed strong emotions and anger during the protests, which helped highlight problems. However, without turning that into votes, agendas, or long-term plans, the impact can fade. He argued that citizens and police both learned lessons from earlier events.
In the recent anniversary protests, there were fewer deaths, which he saw as progress, even if injuries still occurred.
The discussion also touched on how political parties work. Ochola explained that politics involves interests, but good leaders create benefits for the wider public too.
He suggested that joining parties like ODM is not always a betrayal. Instead, it can be a practical way to gain influence and push for change from within the system.
He praised some moves but stressed the need for competence over tribal or personal ties.
Many young Kenyans want new leadership and reject old ways. Yet the conversation highlighted challenges. Movements that stay leaderless can struggle to maintain direction. Ochola encouraged Gen Z to be more pragmatic combine anger with logic, focus on voting, and build sustainable agendas for 2027 and beyond.
He noted that governments should make daily life easier, from basic needs to healthcare.
The Gen Z protests brought important issues to light and forced some reforms. But one year on, the movement appears more divided. Some leaders have entered mainstream politics, while others focus on regional matters or have stepped back. The lower numbers at recent gatherings suggest the original wave of energy has changed. Whether Gen Z can regroup and influence future elections depends on learning from the past, staying organized, and turning demands into real political action.
Kenya’s young people have shown they can shape national conversations. The coming years will test if that voice grows stronger through unity and strategy or continues to split across different paths. The discussion ends with a call for difficult but honest talks to move the country forward.
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