- Kenya’s Gen Z protests inspire Africa-wide youth uprisings
- Madagascar latest as leaders struggle to contain unrest
NAIROBI, KENYA – Kenya’s Gen Z-led street protests are inspiring a new generation of youth movements across Africa, with Madagascar the latest to be rocked by nationwide demonstrations.
On September 29, President Andry Rajoelina dissolved his government after angry Malagasy youth poured into the streets to denounce chronic water and power shortages.
His concession came amid violence that has left at least 22 people dead and more than 100 injured, according to the United Nations.
“I understand the anger, the sadness, and the difficulties caused by power cuts and water supply problems. I heard the call, I felt the suffering, I understood the impact on daily life,” Rajoelina said in a televised address.
He promised dialogue with young people and aid for businesses hit by looting. But the protests underscore a deeper trend: Kenya’s youth revolt, which first exploded in 2024, has become a blueprint for a new form of tech-driven activism spreading across borders.
Kenya as the epicentre
Kenya’s Finance Bill 2024, which proposed steep tax hikes, ignited the largest youth-led movement the country had seen in decades. At least 63 protesters were killed in 2024, and another 16 in 2025, forcing President William Ruto to dissolve his government in a dramatic bid to calm unrest.
The Kenyan uprising did not end at its borders. From Nigeria to Uganda and from Mozambique to Madagascar, digitally savvy young people are now mobilising against corruption, economic hardship and authoritarian excess. The ripple has even reached beyond Africa, fuelling protests in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal.
In Nepal, then-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned in September under public pressure, while Bangladesh installed an interim government on August 8 after youth-led street battles.
Prominent Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi says Kenya was only the starting point.
“The Gen Z youth have capitalised on modern technology as the new form of activism. Easy accessibility of social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and X has made modern activism more widespread and impactful.
“Kenya was just a launching pad. The new wave is unstoppable and spells doom for irresponsible leaders,” Mwangi told Allen Dreyfus.
But Mwangi warned of risks: “This revolution is not for the fainthearted. Some of our colleagues were enticed and joined the same regime we were fighting against. They betrayed our cause.”
A continental shift
Analysts say the cross-border influence reflects the interconnectedness of Africa’s younger generation, many of whom share the same frustrations – rising unemployment, soaring living costs, and governments seen as unaccountable.
“The Gen Zs have birthed a 21st-century activism that is gaining traction everywhere… it’s a fierce fire blowing all over,” political analyst Dr Joyce Kamuren said.
Madagascar may only be the most recent flashpoint, but as Kenya’s example shows, the protests are unlikely to be the last. For African leaders, the challenge is no longer whether youth will rise up, but how far their collective defiance can reshape politics across the continent.
