By by Brian kipkorir
The recent “Saba Saba” protests in Kenya, commemorating the historic pro-democracy uprising of July 7th, 1990, have once again laid bare a profound shift in Kenyan political engagement. While the day traditionally serves as a rallying cry for multi-party democracy, the 2025 iteration saw a distinct evolution: a leaderless, party-less, and largely “tribe-less” movement driven by a disillusioned Gen Z. This is not simply a protest against the rising cost of living or perceived government corruption; it’s a fundamental rejection of the conventional political architecture that has long defined Kenya’s public sphere.
The “Gen Z” protests, unlike previous opposition-led demonstrations, lack a singular figurehead or a clearly articulated partisan agenda. This decentralized nature is both its strength and its vulnerability. On one hand, it makes the movement incredibly difficult for the state to dismantle through traditional means of political appeasement or repression. There’s no one leader to arrest, no single party to negotiate with. On the other hand, it presents a challenge for translating widespread anger into concrete political action or a coherent alternative vision.
The insight here lies in understanding that this is less about specific policy grievances and more about a deep-seated crisis of trust in established institutions. For a generation that has grown up witnessing cycles of grand political promises, escalating debt, and persistent corruption, the traditional political manifesto has become a hollow ritual. The “shoot on sight” directives and heavy-handed police responses, while intended to quell dissent, instead fuel the perception of an unresponsive and authoritarian state, further alienating a youth cohort that is digitally interconnected and globally aware. The question for Kenya’s future is not just how to address the immediate economic hardships, but how to rebuild trust with a generation that has fundamentally lost faith in the existing political compact and is increasingly willing to forge its own, unconventional, paths of protest.
2.The “Cousins” Paradox: How Familial Narratives Mask Deepening Rifts in Kamba-GEMA Relations
The recent attempts by Kamba political figures, notably Kalonzo Musyoka, to leverage the “cousins” narrative to foster unity between the Kamba community and the GEMA (Gikuyu, Embu, Meru) communities speak to a recurring, yet increasingly strained, political strategy in Kenya. Historically, this “cousins” framing emphasizes shared Bantu linguistic and cultural roots, aiming to create a larger political bloc rooted in perceived kinship. However, the contemporary application of this narrative reveals a paradox: while it seeks to bridge historical divides, it inadvertently highlights the deepening economic and political disparities that undermine genuine cohesion.
The original insight is that the “cousins” narrative, while seemingly benign and unifying, often serves as a political convenience rather than a reflection of lived reality. It gains traction during moments of political realignment, particularly when one community seeks to re-establish influence or secure a strategic alliance. For instance, the inclusion of the Kamba community into the broader GEMA framework in late 2024 by certain political factions suggests a calculated move to expand electoral bases ahead of 2027.
However, the efficacy of this narrative is increasingly challenged by two factors:
- Economic Disparity: Despite the shared cultural heritage, the Kamba region often lags behind parts of GEMA in terms of economic development and infrastructure. The “cousins” rhetoric often glosses over these real-world inequalities, which can lead to resentment and a feeling of being used for political expediency without tangible benefits.
- Shifting Political Loyalties: The younger generation, especially, is less bound by traditional ethnic blocs. While elders may resonate with kinship narratives, many youth prioritize issues like employment, accountability, and good governance over tribal allegiances. A “Kikuyu youth’s perspective” on the Ruto-Rigathi split, for example, is less about “cousins” and more about which leader offers a more compelling vision for their economic future or addresses their frustrations with the political establishment.
Therefore, while the “cousins” narrative may offer a superficial sense of unity, its effectiveness as a sustained political strategy will increasingly depend on its ability to translate into equitable resource distribution and a shared agenda that addresses the socio-economic realities of the respective communities, rather than merely relying on a symbolic bond.
3.The Ruto-Rigathi Rift: Decoding Kikuyu Youth Political Loyalty Beyond Patronage
The apparent split between President William Ruto and his former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has sparked considerable debate, particularly concerning its impact on Kikuyu youth political loyalty. While traditional Kenyan politics often frames such rifts through the lens of patronage and ethnic kingpin dynamics, the original insight here is that for a significant segment of Kikuyu youth, their loyalty is increasingly transactional and performance-based, rather than solely rooted in ethnic or patronage ties.
The traditional analysis would suggest that Gachagua, being a prominent Kikuyu leader, would naturally command the loyalty of the youth in the Mt. Kenya region. However, the “radicalization” narrative being floated (and debunked) against Gachagua indicates a deeper struggle for the hearts and minds of this demographic. For many young Kikuyus, the euphoria of the 2022 “hustler” narrative, which resonated with their economic aspirations, is now being tested by the realities of governance, including the rising cost of living and the perceived slow pace of promised economic transformation.
Their political loyalty is now being weighed against:
- Tangible Economic Outcomes: Did the “Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda” deliver on its promises for job creation and improved livelihoods? If not, disaffection will grow, regardless of a leader’s ethnic origin or their past role in bringing a regime to power.
- Accountability and Anti-Corruption Stance: The youth are increasingly vocal about corruption and police brutality. Their perception of how the government addresses these issues will heavily influence their support.
- Voice and Inclusion: Do they feel heard and represented within the political discourse, or are they merely viewed as a voting bloc to be mobilized every five years? The “leaderless” nature of the Saba Saba protests suggests a yearning for genuine participation beyond the confines of established political parties.
Therefore, the Ruto-Rigathi split, from a Kikuyu youth perspective, is not just about choosing between two “sons of the soil.” It’s about discerning which political faction, if any, can genuinely deliver on their aspirations for a better future, independent of the traditional ethnic calculus that has long dominated Kenyan politics. Their loyalty, increasingly, is a prize to be earned through tangible progress and demonstrable commitment to their interests, not merely assumed through tribal or past political allegiances.
