In the build-up to the highly anticipated June 25 protests, a wave of dark humour has taken over social media, with Kenyans — particularly Gen Z — expressing their fears and frustrations through morbid jokes. A mortician named Ann Mwangangi has found herself at the center of attention after leaking M-Pesa screenshots of Kenyans sending her KSh 1 as symbolic “deposits” to book slots at the morgue where she works.
The screenshots show multiple transactions of KSh 1 each, accompanied by chilling and often humorous messages from young Kenyans joking about potential death during the protests. One message even requested Wi-Fi alongside the booking. Another simply read, “No refunds,” which the mortician reposted as a cheeky caption.
These gestures, though laced with humour, have painted a grim picture of how deeply affected the youth are by the current political climate and the memory of lives lost during the same protests exactly one year ago. June 25, 2024, was marked by chaos and tragedy after several Kenyans were killed during demonstrations against the Finance Bill. Now, exactly a year later, many young Kenyans are returning to the streets in what has been dubbed the “Gen Z Memorial March.”
The mortician shared that some youths went beyond jokes, asking genuine questions about mortuary services — including body storage and billing — in case the worst happens. Some even told her to make sure they were embalmed properly or placed in specific areas of the morgue.
Online reactions have been swift and diverse. One user requested to have two of his teeth removed and given to someone named Ruth K. Another joked about being placed near the entrance for a better view. Others sarcastically discussed plans like taking photos for their funeral programs or writing their own eulogies. One youth candidly wrote that if he doesn’t make it back home alive, at least his parents might benefit, just like the family of a recently deceased protester.
Despite the humour, the underlying message is deeply serious. This trend reveals how desensitized some Kenyans — especially the youth — have become to the reality of police brutality and state repression. For many, the only way to cope is through satire and shared gallows humour.
Meanwhile, government officials have issued stern warnings. The President emphasized that no one is above the law and cautioned protestors against provoking the police. Security measures have been ramped up across Nairobi, and demonstrators have been strongly advised not to approach protected areas like State House. Authorities have also warned that serious action will be taken against anyone found engaging in violence or attempting to breach restricted zones.
In a related act of defiance and vulnerability, one 26-year-old protester wrote and shared his own eulogy the night before the protest — a haunting yet powerful declaration of readiness to sacrifice for justice. A mechanical engineer and digital creator, his message has since gone viral and is being seen as a rallying cry for change.
While jokes about death may seem shocking, they offer a raw reflection of the mental and emotional state of many Kenyan youths. Underneath the humour lies grief, exhaustion, and an urgent demand to be heard.
