Kenya’s Gen Z: The misunderstood voices amid rising political divisions

Kenya’s Gen Z: The misunderstood voices amid rising political divisions

Kenya’s Gen Z: The misunderstood voices amid rising political divisions

Read this story aloud

Listen to the clean text version of this article

Ready
5 min listen
Audio reading is not supported on this browser.

Notably, the GeoPoll survey credited Gen Z for leading the charge on sustainability in the country

As the political environment gains heat in the country following the National Assembly’s resolution to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Tuesday, the developments are increasingly becoming a topic of concern for many.
However, Gen Zs, who arguably are the genesis of the growing political divisions in the country following their largely successful protests in June against Finance Bill 2024, are perceived as a generation that is indifferent to political and public affairs.
But this perception is incorrect, as demonstrated by a study exploring the myths and realities of Kenya’s Gen Z.

More To Read

• Protests anniversary:The day Gen Z took to the streets and changed Kenya’s politics
• Did Kenya’s Gen Z protests deliver change? Economist assesses what has really changed
• Rights groups, protest victims unveil security plan for June 25 anniversary
• Gachagua urges Gen Z to skip June 25 protests, warns of possible violence
• Nanyuki demos halt traffic as locals protest over proposed Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Airbase
• FIDA, LSK and women MPs give Ruto 40-day ultimatum over rising femicide crisis

Gen Z comprises individuals born between 1997 and early 2012 and is known for breaking free from outdated stereotypes and showcasing an innovative and dynamic image through social media and digital platforms.
Firstly, according to the study report by the international tech firm GeoPoll, the perception that Kenya’s Gen Z does not care about serious matters — political and public affairs — is a misconception.
“A significant 63.30 per cent of surveyed Gen Z respondents stated they are very involved in politics and public affairs,” the report reads.

Latest Stories

• Kenya reaffirms ties with Rwanda as it marks Liberation Day celebrations
• Morocco continue historic rise with record-breaking World Cup victory against Canada
• Serena Williams withdraws from Wimbledon doubles after knee injury, ending Venus reunion plans
• Report records 83 harassment incidents against Christians in Israel over three months

“Additionally, 21.57 per cent reported being somewhat involved, while 9.79 per cent remained neutral. Only 4.83 per cent were somewhat uninvolved, and a mere 2.83 per cent refrained from political engagement altogether.”
These findings highlight Gen Z’s strong interest and active participation in shaping the political and civic landscape, the report adds.
Are Gen Zs lazy and unambitious?
Then there is the perception that a majority of them are lazy and not ambitious.
The study says while a significant portion of Gen Z in Kenya is experiencing unemployment, members of other generations often perceive them as lazy and lacking in ambition.
However, the assessment from the study shows that 82.87 per cent of Gen Z respondents consider themselves ambitious.
Furthermore, 11.85 per cent of them believe they are somewhat more ambitious than previous generations, with only 3.48 per cent expressing neutrality and 3.22 per cent viewing themselves as less ambitious.
On the other hand, there has also been a narrative that Gen Zs are killing the use of TV, radio and print newspapers as conventional channels of communication because of their tech-savvy and mobile-centric nature.
The study reveals that despite the rise of social media, TV and radio remain dominant in Africa as consumers typically watch TV or listen to the radio daily.
It however says Kenya’s Gen Z’s approach to media is changing.
“A majority of Gen Z rely on social media for news and entertainment. About 57 per cent of people prefer social media for immediate and interactive content, especially younger people,” GeoPoll says.
“TV comes next at 25 per cent, showing that it still plays a significant role in delivering news and entertainment. Radio and news websites are tied at seven per cent each, catering to more specific and niche audiences.”
Nevertheless, the perception that they do digital jobs since they are tech savvy is objected to by the survey.
Despite Kenya’s significant technological advancement and the global shift towards remote work, the report shows a majority of respondents, 66.71 per cent, are currently unemployed.
Additionally, 19.38 per cent of those surveyed are employed, while 13.46 per cent own a small business.
Economic growth
Notably, the survey credited Gen Z for leading the charge on sustainability in the country.
According to the United Nations, the Sustainable Development Goals are a call for action by all countries – poor, rich and middle-income – to promote prosperity while protecting the planet.
In Kenya, GeoPoll says Gen Z recognises that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and address a range of social needs including education, health, social protection and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection.
“A substantial 92.98 per cent of Gen Z respondents agree that their generation is more focused on sustainability compared to previous generations. Meanwhile, 5.86 per cent remain neutral, and only 2.64 per cent believe that older generations are more committed to sustainability than Gen Z,” the GeoPoll report says.

Other Topics To Read

Top Stories Today

• Weekly new Ebola cases reach highest level since outbreak began: WHO
• Kenya reaffirms ties with Rwanda as it marks Liberation Day celebrations
• Serena Williams withdraws from Wimbledon doubles after knee injury, ending Venus reunion plans
• Report records 83 harassment incidents against Christians in Israel over three months
• Clean mobility gains ground in trucks and buses, but fossil fuels still dominate at 94 per cent – report
• Over 1,000 Sudanese return home from Egypt under ongoing repatriation programme

`;
}

return “;
}

function commentActionsMarkup(comment, canComment) {
const likeLabel = comment.liked_by_me ? ‘Liked’ : ‘Like’;
const likeCount = Number(comment.like_count || 0) > 0
? “
: ”;

const likeButton = canComment && comment.status === ‘approved’
? “
: “;

const replyButton = canComment && comment.status === ‘approved’
? “
: ”;

return `

`;
}

function commentMarkup(comment, canComment, isReply = false) {
const pendingBadge = comment.status && comment.status !== ‘approved’
? “
: ”;

const edited = comment.is_edited
? “
: ”;

const repliesHtml = Array.isArray(comment.replies) && comment.replies.length
? `

`
: “;

return `

`;
}

function replyFormMarkup(commentId) {
return `

`;
}

function setNotice(widget, message, type = ‘info’) {
const notice = widget.querySelector(‘[data-role=”notice”]’);
if (!notice) return;

if (!message) {
notice.hidden = true;
notice.textContent = ”;
notice.classList.remove(‘is-error’);
return;
}

notice.hidden = false;
notice.textContent = message;
notice.classList.toggle(‘is-error’, type === ‘error’);
}

function setCount(widget, total) {
const count = widget.querySelector(‘[data-role=”count”]’);
if (!count) return;

const num = Number(total || 0);
count.textContent = num === 1 ? ‘1 comment’ : `${num} comments`;
}

function openReplyBox(widget, commentId) {
widget.querySelectorAll(‘[data-role=”reply-box”]’).forEach(box => {
box.hidden = true;
box.innerHTML = ”;
});

const targetItem = widget.querySelector(`.ev-comments__item[data-comment-id=”${commentId}”]`);
if (!targetItem) return;

const replyBox = targetItem.querySelector(‘[data-role=”reply-box”]’);
if (!replyBox) return;

replyBox.hidden = false;
replyBox.innerHTML = replyFormMarkup(commentId);

const textarea = replyBox.querySelector(‘textarea’);
if (textarea) textarea.focus();
}

function closeReplyBox(container) {
if (!container) return;
container.hidden = true;
container.innerHTML = ”;
}

async function initCommentsWidget(widget) {
const state = {
articleId: Number(widget.dataset.articleId),
loadUrl: widget.dataset.loadUrl,
storeUrl: widget.dataset.storeUrl,
commentsBaseUrl: widget.dataset.commentsBaseUrl,
canComment: widget.dataset.canComment === ‘1’,
page: 1,
perPage: 10,
sort: ‘newest’,
total: 0,
hasMore: false,
busy: false
};

const list = widget.querySelector(‘[data-role=”list”]’);
const loading = widget.querySelector(‘[data-role=”loading”]’);
const empty = widget.querySelector(‘[data-role=”empty”]’);
const loadMoreBtn = widget.querySelector(‘[data-role=”load-more”]’);
const sortSelect = widget.querySelector(‘[data-role=”sort”]’);
const composerForm = widget.querySelector(‘[data-role=”composer-form”]’);

async function loadComments(reset = true) {
if (state.busy) return;

state.busy = true;
setNotice(widget, ”);
loading.hidden = false;

if (reset) {
state.page = 1;
list.innerHTML = ”;
empty.hidden = true;
}

try {
const url = new URL(state.loadUrl, window.location.origin);
url.searchParams.set(‘page’, state.page);
url.searchParams.set(‘per_page’, state.perPage);
url.searchParams.set(‘sort’, state.sort);

const response = await requestJson(url.toString(), {
method: ‘GET’,
headers: {
‘Accept’: ‘application/json’,
‘X-Requested-With’: ‘XMLHttpRequest’
}
});

const items = Array.isArray(response.data) ? response.data : [];
const meta = response.meta || {};

state.total = Number(meta.total || 0);
state.hasMore = !!meta.has_more;

setCount(widget, state.total);

if (reset) {
list.innerHTML = ”;
}

if (!items.length && reset) {
empty.hidden = false;
} else {
empty.hidden = true;
list.insertAdjacentHTML(
‘beforeend’,
items.map(item => commentMarkup(item, state.canComment, false)).join(”)
);
}

loadMoreBtn.hidden = !state.hasMore;
} catch (error) {
if (!list.children.length) {
empty.hidden = false;
empty.textContent = ‘Unable to load comments right now.’;
}
setNotice(widget, error.message || ‘Unable to load comments.’, ‘error’);
} finally {
loading.hidden = true;
state.busy = false;
}
}

async function submitTopLevelComment(form) {
const textarea = form.querySelector(‘textarea[name=”content”]’);
const button = form.querySelector(‘[data-role=”submit-comment”]’);

if (!textarea) return;

const content = textarea.value.trim();
if (!content) return;

const originalText = button ? button.textContent : ”;

try {
if (button) {
button.disabled = true;
button.textContent = ‘Posting…’;
}

const response = await requestJson(state.storeUrl, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: buildJsonHeaders(),
body: JSON.stringify({
article_id: state.articleId,
content: content,
source_url: window.location.href
})
});

textarea.value = ”;

if (response?.data) {
list.insertAdjacentHTML(
‘afterbegin’,
commentMarkup(response.data, state.canComment, false)
);
empty.hidden = true;

if ((response.data.status || ”) === ‘approved’) {
state.total += 1;
setCount(widget, state.total);
}
}

setNotice(widget, response.message || ‘Comment posted successfully.’);
} catch (error) {
setNotice(widget, error.message || ‘Unable to post comment.’, ‘error’);
} finally {
if (button) {
button.disabled = false;
button.textContent = originalText || ‘Post comment’;
}
}
}

async function submitReply(form) {
const commentId = Number(form.dataset.commentId || 0);
const textarea = form.querySelector(‘textarea[name=”content”]’);
const button = form.querySelector(‘.ev-comments__reply-submit’);

if (!commentId || !textarea) return;

const content = textarea.value.trim();
if (!content) return;

const originalText = button ? button.textContent : ”;

try {
if (button) {
button.disabled = true;
button.textContent = ‘Posting…’;
}

const response = await requestJson(`${state.commentsBaseUrl}/${commentId}/reply`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: buildJsonHeaders(),
body: JSON.stringify({
article_id: state.articleId,
content: content,
source_url: window.location.href
})
});

if (response?.data) {
const parentItem = widget.querySelector(`.ev-comments__item[data-comment-id=”${commentId}”]`);
if (parentItem) {
const repliesWrap = parentItem.querySelector(‘.ev-comments__replies’);
if (repliesWrap) {
repliesWrap.insertAdjacentHTML(
‘beforeend’,
commentMarkup(response.data, state.canComment, true)
);
}
}
}

closeReplyBox(form.closest(‘[data-role=”reply-box”]’));
setNotice(widget, response.message || ‘Reply posted successfully.’);
} catch (error) {
setNotice(widget, error.message || ‘Unable to post reply.’, ‘error’);
} finally {
if (button) {
button.disabled = false;
button.textContent = originalText || ‘Post reply’;
}
}
}

async function toggleLike(button) {
const commentId = Number(button.dataset.commentId || 0);
if (!commentId) return;

const originalHtml = button.innerHTML;

try {
button.disabled = true;
button.innerHTML = ‘Working…’;

const response = await requestJson(`${state.commentsBaseUrl}/${commentId}/like`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: buildJsonHeaders(),
body: JSON.stringify({})
});

const liked = !!response?.data?.liked;
const likeCount = Number(response?.data?.like_count || 0);

button.classList.toggle(‘is-liked’, liked);
button.innerHTML = `${liked ? ‘Liked’ : ‘Like’} ${likeCount > 0 ? “ : ”}`;
} catch (error) {
button.innerHTML = originalHtml;
setNotice(widget, error.message || ‘Unable to update like.’, ‘error’);
} finally {
button.disabled = false;
}
}

if (composerForm) {
composerForm.addEventListener(‘submit’, function (e) {
e.preventDefault();
submitTopLevelComment(composerForm);
});
}

if (sortSelect) {
sortSelect.addEventListener(‘change’, function () {
state.sort = this.value || ‘newest’;
loadComments(true);
});
}

if (loadMoreBtn) {
loadMoreBtn.addEventListener(‘click’, function () {
if (state.busy || !state.hasMore) return;
state.page += 1;
loadComments(false);
});
}

widget.addEventListener(‘click’, function (e) {
const likeBtn = e.target.closest(‘[data-action=”toggle-like”]’);
if (likeBtn) {
e.preventDefault();
toggleLike(likeBtn);
return;
}

const replyBtn = e.target.closest(‘[data-action=”toggle-reply”]’);
if (replyBtn) {
e.preventDefault();
openReplyBox(widget, Number(replyBtn.dataset.commentId || 0));
return;
}

const cancelReplyBtn = e.target.closest(‘[data-action=”cancel-reply”]’);
if (cancelReplyBtn) {
e.preventDefault();
closeReplyBox(cancelReplyBtn.closest(‘[data-role=”reply-box”]’));
}
});

widget.addEventListener(‘submit’, function (e) {
const replyForm = e.target.closest(‘.ev-comments__reply-form’);
if (replyForm) {
e.preventDefault();
submitReply(replyForm);
}
});

loadComments(true);
}

document.addEventListener(‘DOMContentLoaded’, function () {
document.querySelectorAll(‘.ev-comments’).forEach(initCommentsWidget);
});
})();

Trending

Weight-loss drug Wegovy approved in UK for MASH-related liver fibrosisNews
|Charity Kilei
|13 hours ago

Eight arrested in Marsabit over Sh1.2 million SIM swap fraudNorthern Kenya
|Bashir Mbuthia
|12 hours ago

CS Mbadi defends government’s Safaricom share sale as lawful and transparentNews
|Rachael Mutabasi
|15 hours ago

DP Kindiki hails cooperatives as key to Kenya’s economic transformationNews
|Rachael Mutabasi
|11 hours ago

Pope Leo XIV shines spotlight on Mediterranean migration crisisWorld
|Mary Wambui
|9 hours ago

SHA seeks Treasury funds to clear NHIF claims above Sh10 millionHealth
|Charity Kilei
|11 hours ago

Sudan’s people subject to ‘relentless’ drone strikes in El ObeidSudan
|UN News
|9 hours ago

Report records 83 harassment incidents against Christians in Israel over three monthsMiddle-East
|Bashir Mbuthia
|5 hours ago
Kenya reaffirms ties with Rwanda as it marks Liberation Day celebrationsRegional
|Bashir Mbuthia
|5 hours ago
Somalia intelligence agency kills Al-Shabaab mortar unit leader in Basra operationSomalia
|Bashir Mbuthia
|7 hours ago