In Nairobi, Kenya, young protesters continue to take to the streets in an ongoing display of frustration and demand for change. What started as demonstrations against punitive tax proposals has now evolved into a broader movement calling for an end to bad governance, corruption, and mismanagement of public funds. The protesters, largely made up of young marginalized Kenyans, are advocating for a better future and are determined to hold President William Ruto's government accountable.

The protests first erupted in June, triggered by a contentious finance bill aimed at raising $2.7 billion through increased taxes. The anger reached its peak when demonstrators stormed Parliament and set part of the building on fire. Several lives were lost during that fateful day, and the protests have since become a regular occurrence.

President Ruto succumbed to pressure to address the grievances and initially made some concessions, such as firing cabinet secretaries and signing into law the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. However, these actions were met with further discontent as protesters demanded the appointment of technocrats with integrity rather than political cronies.

Despite the government's attempts at appeasement, the frustrations among the protesters have not waned. Kenyans are calling for President Ruto to address issues such as high levels of corruption, mismanagement of public funds, and the need for job opportunities. The young demonstrators argue that they are not asking for the impossible but rather for the government to uphold its responsibilities and fulfill the promises made during President Ruto's populist campaign in 2022.

The protesters are a leaderless and diverse group, transcending ethnic divisions and political affiliations. Often referred to as the Gen Z movement, they are tech-savvy and have leveraged digital activism to rally support and spread awareness about their cause. Through civic education and social media platforms like TikTok, they have encouraged the youth to engage with legislative bills and question the actions of the government.

However, the lack of a formal structure within the movement has made it susceptible to infiltration by criminal gangs, resulting in incidents of violence and looting during protests. Some coordinators allege that these acts are sponsored by pro-government politicians seeking to disrupt the peaceful demonstrations.

Tragically, the protests have not been without casualties. At least 50 people have lost their lives since the start of the demonstrations, with allegations of excessive force used by the police and reports of missing or abducted protesters. The families of those affected are grieving and are determined to seek justice for their lost loved ones.

As the protests enter their sixth week, the young Kenyan protesters remain resolute in their demand for change. They refuse to be deterred by the lethal force used against them and are determined to hold the ruling class, politicians, and religious leaders accountable. Their message is clear: unless genuine change takes place, the youth will continue to demand better governance and a brighter future for the nation.