Nationwide demonstrations have broken out in Kenya over a controversial tax bill. The Finance Bill 2024, which was first presented to Parliament in May, has sparked dissatisfaction over an increase in a range of taxes and levies on Kenyans.
The mass protests, initially organized in the capital Nairobi, have spread across the country. Demonstrations have taken place in almost every city and major city. Digital media and activism expert Job Mwaura shares his insights into how the protests were mobilized online and then on the streets.
How are Kenyans using digital space in this movement?
This is a powerful moment for digital activism. The protests have seen significant participation from young Kenyans who are using digital media to organize and express their opposition. A large number of those driving the protests are Generation Z (often called Gen Z) – individuals born roughly between the late 1990s and early 2010s and characterized by digital prowess and social consciousness. They have created this organic grassroots movement that has used platforms like social media to quickly mobilize and coordinate efforts.
Through my work, I have documented how essential digital media has been to political participation in Kenya over the past decade, especially among marginalized communities such as youth and women.
In the current protests we see how innovative activists can be in their use of digital media. The digital tools and strategies used today are taking activism to a whole new level. They show a sophistication and range that was difficult to imagine.
They have deployed a number of old and new strategies.
One of the new developments is artificial intelligence (AI), which is used to create images, songs and videos that amplify the movement’s messages and reach a wider audience.
AI was also used to inform a wider audience about the bill. For example, developers have created specialized GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) models designed to answer questions about the funding bill.
Platforms such as Tiktok and X are used to share videos of people explaining the Finance Act in different Kenyan dialects.
Hashtags – such as #OccupyParliament and #RejectFinanceBill2024 – trended on social media platforms for several days, further highlighting the power of digital activism in mobilizing support and maintaining the momentum of the protests.
And then there is very successful crowdfunding via digital platforms. This allowed supporters to send money for transportation, allowing more people to join the protests in Nairobi’s central business district.
Another example is the use of hacking government websites, disrupting services and drawing attention to the cause.
Personal information, such as the phone numbers of political leaders, was leaked so that protesters could spam them with text and WhatsApp messages, forcing the Data Protection Commissioner’s office to issue a statement warning them to stop.
Activists have also created a website with a “wall of shame” listing politicians who support the Finance Bill. This helped the protesters increase pressure on parliamentarians to potentially change their position. Some voters are taking steps to recall their MPs.
What strikes you?
That these protests are organic and that young people play a central role. They have felt depressed and neglected by the government for a long time. This widespread sense of disenfranchisement among them was a ticking time bomb and eventually exploded into fervent activism.
Unlike previous protests, these demonstrations arose spontaneously from the grassroots. This shift underlines an important transition in Kenyan politics. We are witnessing a shift from ethnicity-based mobilization to issue-based activism. People don’t come together based on their tribe. They unite to fight for specific issues that affect their daily lives, such as economic policy, government accountability and social justice.
This new form of activism reflects a growing political maturity among Kenyans, who are prioritizing shared concerns over ethnic divisions. It sets a new precedent for addressing social and political issues in the country.
What was also striking is how digital activism has sparked nationwide physical protests. Young people have taken to the streets from their screens, forcing leaders to listen and even make changes to the funding bill before it was passed. This shows how online efforts can translate into changes in the real world. It demonstrates the power and effectiveness of digital activism in shaping political discourse and policy.
Digital activism provides a powerful platform where diverse voices can be heard, catalyzing change. It has enabled rapid mobilization of support, bridged gaps between diverse groups and focused attention on pressing issues in real time.
For years, digital media activism was labeled as “slacktivism,” a term referring to minimal-effort activities such as liking, sharing, or commenting online that are believed to have little impact in the real world.
However, these recent events show that political leaders can succumb to online pressure. They show that even small changes initiated online can lead to substantial results.
Are there any downsides to using the digital space for activism?
Digital media are vulnerable to censorship and government interference.
During recent protests in Kenya, there were suspected signs of the internet slowing down, resulting in increased buffering, file download delays, and service disruptions on certain apps.
Despite these challenges, the impact of digital activism cannot be underestimated. It has revolutionized the way people mobilize, communicate and advocate for change.
This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit organization providing facts and trusted analysis to help you understand our complex world. It was written by: Job Mwaura, University of the Witwatersrand
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Job Mwaura does not work for, consult with, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.