Art is Maandamano
Originally published by The Elephant — Read the original article →
In the weeks leading up to the storming of the Kenyan parliament in June 2024, I noticed a unique element in the type of people who attended the protests; they polled much younger, more enthusiastic, and some wore fairly pricey clothing. Not exactly what we have come to expect of Kenya’s rank-and-file rioters.
The quest for justice expressed through protest had found resonance with the type of Kenyan who would often be considered apolitical and indifferent to politics. They are not the group most invested in the mechanics of dealing with teargas, running battles, and placards. Something had changed, we just didn’t fully appreciate it yet. Somehow this apathetic regime had finally managed to enrage a unique, previously indifferent cluster: the middle-class Gen Zs.
In the heated political climate of mid-2024, Kenya witnessed an unprecedented wave of protests led largely by its Generation Z. While the immediate trigger was the controversial Finance Bill, the movement was distinguished not just by its scale but by its form. This was a revolution articulated through art, creativity, and a masterful use of the public space, demonstrating a profound and sophisticated handling of artistic freedom as a tool for resistance, mobilization, and memory. Music, visual art, and digital creativity have become the lifeblood of the movement, giving voice to the voiceless and fuelling calls for change.
