Lecture Notes: Youth Engagement and Gen Z Movement in Kenya

Introduction

• Discussion on youth engagement with a focus on a proverb from Ireland.
• Proverb: "M and CH"
  • Interpretation: Encourage or engage the youth, and they will come forward.

Irish Perspective on Youth

• Youth represent a new beginning and continuity.
• Encouraging youth leads to flourishing and continuity in society.

Current Events in Kenya

• Protests led by Gen Z and young Millennials against the finance bill 2024.
• Protests organized via digital platforms like TikTok and X.
• Key actions by protesters:
  • Communal fund for medical bills and logistics.
  • Organized hospital visits and aid for injured comrades.
  • Digital campaigns (#occupy parliament, #reject finance bill 2024).
  • Cyber-attacks and leaking personal information for direct political engagement.

Analysis of Youth-Led Movements

• Leaderless (or leaderful) movements using digital tools.
• Effective organization without traditional leadership structures.
• Collective action fostering a sense of unity and digital connectivity.

Global and Historical Context

• Comparison with historical protests and youth movements.
• Protesters bringing awareness to global issues: climate change, conflict, disease.
• Importance of universal right to peaceful protest.

Role of the United Nations

• UN Resident Coordinator's perspective on the Gen Z Movement.
• Emphasis on listening to youth and the challenge of engaging such a diverse group at scale.

Educational Aspects of the Movement

• Breakdown of complex issues, e.g., finance bill, for general public understanding.
• Importance of public participation and deliberative democracy.

Opportunities and Challenges

• Potential for Kenya to model new governance methods for the world.
• The necessity of balancing protest with structured engagement.
• Developing mechanisms for routine engagement with broad sectors of the population.

The Future of Governance

• Potential of online tools for participatory democracy.
• Example of Switzerland’s direct democracy and participatory models from cities globally.
• Importance of routine, engaged governance to avoid constant crises.

Concluding Thoughts From UN Perspective

• Avoiding the takeover of movements while offering support.
• Learning from global examples to sustain and progress the movement.
• Urgent need for governance to adapt and renew social contracts with youth.

Final Note

• Call to action for Kenya’s people and government to collaborate and lead on the future of governance.