LAWI SULTAN: Structured leadership key for Gen Z to succeed

In the vibrant chaos of Kenya’s 2024 Finance Bill protests, the nation’s Gen Z showcased their raw power. United under hashtags like #RejectFinanceBill2024, they forced President William Ruto’s administration to withdraw a deeply unpopular tax proposal and reshuffle his cabinet. Gen Z’s “leaderless, tribeless, partyless” mantra, amplified through platforms like X and TikTok, proved effective for a singular cause.

Fast forward to 2025, and the streets were alive again, sparked by the custodial death of teacher Albert Ojwang’ and fuelled by broader grievances: soaring living costs, endemic corruption, shrinking job opportunities, police brutality, abductions and the brazen opulence of politicians.

Yet, as the Saba Saba protests gained momentum, a critical flaw persisted; the leaderless approach, while revolutionary, risked stalling Gen Z’s aspirations.

To achieve systemic change, Kenya’s youth must embrace structured leadership to harness their collective power and navigate the constitutional pathways to reform. Last year’s protests were a masterclass in decentralised activism.

Without formal leaders, Gen Z mobilised swiftly, evading government crackdowns by lacking a single target. Social media became their megaphone, uniting urban and rural youth across tribal divides to reject the Finance Bill. The result was undeniable; a rare victory against an entrenched political class. However, the ensuing wave of protests revealed the limits of this approach.

The issues at hand, namely: corruption, unemployment and police brutality, are complex and interconnected, requiring sustained strategies beyond street demonstrations. Fragmentation is already evident: Gen Z have started making their political preferences known from the myriad of prospective aspirants and political parties.

Without leadership to bridge these divides, consensus remains elusive and momentum risks dissipating. Gen Z’s skepticism of leadership is rooted in Kenya’s history of betrayal. Politicians, religious figures and union leaders have often softened their stances when offered bribes or power.

This distrust fuels the “leaderless” mantra, bolstered by Article 1 of the 2010 Constitution, which states that sovereign power can be exercised directly by the people. Yet, this clause remains a theoretical ideal, untested since its promulgation.

Invoking direct sovereignty demands massive mobilisation, legal expertise and public awareness – tasks that a leaderless movement struggles to coordinate. There is a growing recognition that structure is needed to sustain the fight.

History underscores the necessity of leadership. Kenya’s Mau Mau rebellion and the 2002 Narc coalition, which removed the Kanu regime, succeeded through organised leadership, not spontaneous outrage. Globally, leaderless movements like Occupy Wall Street or the early Arab Spring fizzled due to lack of structure, while South Africa’s #FeesMustFall transitioned from protests to policy wins through organised advocacy.

This year’s protests, while powerful, have yet to yield systemic change. Parliament’s temporary adjournment in response to unrest is a fleeting concession, not a structural victory. As one analyst notes, “The absence of revolutionary leadership is the decisive obstacle.” Without it, Gen Z risk being outmanoeuvred by seasoned politicians, who are already attempting to co-opt the movement.

Critics of leadership argue that a leaderless approach fosters inclusivity and resilience. By avoiding centralised figures, Gen Z prevents co-optation and ensures diverse voices are heard. This is valid but overlooks pragmatism.

The myriad of grievances – economic hardship, corruption, police violence – require engagement with formal institutions like Parliament, the Judiciary, or county governments. Petitions, referenda, or legal challenges demand coordinated representation, which a leaderless movement struggles to deliver. Moreover, the absence of structure leaves Gen Z vulnerable to state repression, with protesters labelled “terrorists” and met with lethal force.

Social media, while powerful for mobilisation, cannot replace the strategic planning needed to draft legislation, negotiate with policymakers, or educate the public on constitutional mechanisms like Article 1. Engaging Kenya’s constitutional framework requires leadership.

Direct sovereignty, while empowering, is logistically daunting without organised efforts to rally millions or navigate legal processes.

The path forward is clear. Gen Z must evolve from a leaderless uprising to a structured movement. Leaders can spearhead awareness campaigns, file legal challenges, or mobilise voters to recall unaccountable officials. They can also counter opportunists who exploit divisions, as seen in X and TikTok debates urging youth to reject polarising politicians.

The 2024 victory was a spark; 2025 demands a sustained flame. Gen Z's leaderless mantra ignited a revolution, but systemic change requires more than hashtags and marches.

Transparent, youthful and accountable leaders can channel their energy into constitutional victories, ensuring their grievances – corruption, joblessness, brutality – are not just heard but addressed. As the streets pulse with defiance, Gen Z must organise to claim seats at the table. Their future, and Kenya’s, depends on it.

The writer is a Social consciousness theorist, corporate trainer and speaker, agronomist consultant for golf courses and sports fields and author of ‘The Gigantomachy of Samaismela’ and ‘The Trouble with Kenya: McKenzian Blueprint