KENYA: Gen Z’s Protest, Wake Up Call to Government Says, Archbishop of Nairobi

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

The Archbishop of Nairobi Archdiocese in Kenya warned the government that the ongoing demonstrations spearheaded by Generation Z (GenZ), act as a red flag that calls for addressing the challenges the country is facing.

In his message to the young people at the Holy Family Basilica on Saba Saba day, a special day in the country when Kenyans remember the nationwide protests that were held on 7/7/1990 which demanded for free elections, Archbishop Philip Arnold Anyolo asked the leaders to “Listen.”

“To our leaders when you cannot face the people who elected you, when you cannot listen to them, when you have to move away because they can no longer receive you, I don’t know if there is a greater wakeup call!! Wake up leaders!” Archbishop Anyolo said and stressed, “For the sake of our young people, for the sake of our country, for God’s sake wake up and let’s get to work… and address the thorny issues raised.”

Addressing the concerns of the GenZs under the theme: ‘Listening to each other,’ the Archbishop called the politicians to develop a listening attitude towards the people they were elected to serve.

“I believe it is possible to have a reasonable balance between revenue and expenditure. Development cannot be enough reason to oppress people’s lives and render them miserable. Listen to all these voices, Let’s have budget cuts, let’s have priorities, let’s have professionalism, let’s ensure service delivery; that the systems meant to serve the Kenyan people are working,” he highlighted the expectations of Kenyans referencing the need to look into the controversial 2024 Finance Bill that triggered the protests.

He noted that through listening, “We cultivate a community grounded in mutual respect and care. Listening to others with a humble heart allows us to support them genuinely, showing Christ-like love in practical ways. This approach therefore transforms relationships, fostering unity and understanding.”

According to Archbishop Anyolo, the youths are at a of stage shattered dreams and hopelessness that if the government fails to address, “will transform into a gigantic problem that has a possibility of affecting our country negatively.”

The Prelate urges the leadership of the nation to hear the voices of the young people and “the many other Kenyans clamoring to be heard, following the fact that “Young people have spoken, their voices and presence have been loud and clear on the streets and social media.”

In his Sunday, July 7, message, the young people have emphasized that leaders need to take responsibility for what is going on in the country, and “they are asking that we be very intentional about what to do and what changes to make so that we never come back here.”

The archbishop highlighted further, “They are saying that status-quo or empty promises will not silence them! They’re saying that they are not willing to be intimidated or silenced by handouts, they’re refusing to be intimidated into silence.”

Archbishop Anyolo condemned those who hijacked the youth-led anti-government peaceful protest to cause loss of lives, loss of property, and various other damages saying, “As a country as a people, as a democracy, we have to grow to the point where protests don’t have to cause damages to make an impact. Based on the sentiments and witnesses of many who joined them on the streets these young people can achieve a peaceful protest.”

He wished that the blood of the young ones who lost their lives “be a reason to make the government drop the hardline position and consider making significant changes in the way of running the nation.”

Archbishop Anyolo also applauded the young people for being tribeless and party-less, a gesture he says “Is reminding us that we are united by the common struggle for the common good, our common humanity and our common identity as Kenyans.”

He added, “All they care for is that we all hold Kenya as more important than our tribal affiliations and personal agendas. They’re asking us to be selfless, to think of the other as much as we think of self, asking that we go beyond those many boundaries and titles that separate us.”

In his conclusion, the Prelate pointed out that Kenyans are good people, hardworking, resilient, and patient. The country itself is blessed and all that the people are asking for is for the government to fulfil their mandate as per the constitution.