A new generation of activists is emerging in the heart of Nairobi, armed with smartphones and TikTok accounts rather than the megaphones and placards preferred by their predecessors to drive political and social change.

As Kenya grapples with soaring living costs and controversial government policies, Generation Z — the term generally used to describe people born during the late 1990s and early 2000s — has dug into the digital trenches, harnessing the power of social media to fuel a wave of protests and political activism against the two-year-old administration of Kenyan President William Ruto.

What started out as peaceful youth-led rallies against proposed tax hikes ballooned into wider action against Ruto and what many see as wasteful government spending and corruption.

Ruto, while asserting his belief in freedom of expression and press freedom, has so far acknowledged the temptation to shut down the internet but has chosen not to, maintaining a delicate balance between governance and civil liberties.

TikTok, the short-form video platform beloved by Gen Z, has become the unlikely epicenter of Kenya's political awakening.

Its bite-size videos, often infused with humor and cultural references, have proven to be a potent tool for young Kenyans to express their discontent, share their experiences and connect with like-minded individuals.

"Short videos are king," said DW correspondent Edith Kimani. "They offer digestible information that is to the point and moves the dialogue along. You come in, you're entertained, but you're also informed about the situation."

This digital solidarity has not only fueled the protests but also fostered a sense of community and purpose among Gen Z activists.

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© Deutsche Welle