Social Media and Youth Mobilisation: The Role of Digital Platforms in Kenya's 2024 Anti-Government Protests

Abstract

This study examines the pivotal role of social media in mobilising young people, specifically Gen-Z, during the anti-government protests against Kenya’s Finance Bill 2024. Triggered by pressing socio-economic issues, the protests saw the youth demand accountability and radical reforms. The study employed a desk review of 28 media reports and 10 key informant interviews drawn through purposive sampling to examine how young adults organised themselves while evading government detection. Social Action Theory was used to explore the power of social media in political power dynamics. Findings reveal that social media facilitated coordination, mobilisation and raised awareness on societal problems. Gen-Z used digital platforms to mobilise and create practical tools such as Finance Bill GPT for public inquiries and a USSD code for legal support. The eventual withdrawal of the Finance Bill highlights the effectiveness of digitally driven collective action. Despite the movements’ emphasis on nonviolence, over 60 fatalities and hundreds of injuries were reported, underscoring that nonviolent action can still meet violent state responses. The Gen-Z movement demonstrates the power of grassroots mobilisation and its ability to amplify the voices of young citizens. Kenyan youth are often underrated in civic processes, and they effectively use social media in organising for social action for change in society. This study recommends involvement of young adults in socio-economic issues, enhancement of digital platforms to address critical national issues and sensitisation of diverse issues.