Kenyans have been urged to stop dismissing young people and instead learn from their unique energy and approach to organizing.

This is the Gen Z protest gains momentum across the country on Wednesday June 25, 2025. Speaking on Spice FM, Wanjiru Gikonyo, a  transformative governance advocate, welcomes the strategy used to demand justice and accountability.

“Gen Z moves and operates differently from other generations, maybe it's time we stopped dismissing them and instead started learning from the fresh energy they bring,” she stated.

Gikonyo, who has been vocal on state accountability and citizen engagement, noted that violence is brought by the State and the State-sponsored vigilantes, warning against the use of force to shut down dissent.

“The streets are a critical arena of dialog and contemplation with an Authoritarian system. The only way... Move an intransigent government is for broad-based movement collaboration” she added citing the recent wave of youth-led protests.

She accused the government of employing illegal means to sustain itself, including the use of broad-based governance to kill the opposition, making Kenyans vulnerable to state interest.

"The Gen Z-led protests has been immensely impactful because of the absence of collaboration from other sectors; religious, business, and union – the state has been able to demobilize," she said.

Her remarks come as the country mark one year since protests against the Finance Bill 2024 which claimed many lives.

She criticized traditional leaders for failing to connect with the new movement.

“Why have we lost 352 victims to extrajudicial killings since 2022? When the right to protest is entrenched in law,” she added.

“Gen Z are not interested in empty talk from politicians and clergy. This is understandable because we have too many empty talks. We are at a point where our Constitution is failing,” said Gikonyo.

She urged protestors to continue pushing for democratic space peacefully.

"It as a means to use when the democratic system fails to work and when the government is stone deaf," she added.

“We have not been activist enough in championing and demanding compliance with the constitution.”