The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has sounded a warning over the growing risk of political hijack of the Gen Z-led protest movement. KHRC executive director Davis Malombe emphasized the need to safeguard the authenticity and integrity of the youth-driven uprising, which has emerged as a powerful force demanding accountability, justice, and good governance.
Malombe expressed concern that political figures are increasingly aligning themselves with the Gen Z cause, not necessarily out of shared values, but to advance partisan agendas. “This is a historic moment. Young people have risen, organically and courageously, to demand good governance and fairness. Our role is to stand with them and ensure their message remains clear, untainted and grounded in constitutional values,” he said.
The Gen Z protests, initially sparked by outrage over last year’s finance bill, have grown into a national symbol of civic awakening. However, KHRC warns that without vigilance, their clarity of purpose may be blurred by opportunistic political actors looking to exploit the movement’s momentum.
Malombe cautioned against efforts to instrumentalise the protests, stating that Kenya has a history of grassroots movements being absorbed into political theatre. He urged all citizens, including leaders, to support the values of accountability and transparency without co-opting the narrative or overshadowing the youth’s voices.
Highlighting the role of civil society, Malombe reaffirmed KHRC’s commitment to protecting civic space and amplifying citizen-led demands for equity and justice. He also condemned the July 6 attack on KHRC offices, blaming state actors for intimidation tactics aimed at silencing dissent.
Despite past accusations, including being labelled as sponsors of terrorism in 2015 and being profiled in 2023 as supporters of Gen Z protests, Malombe said KHRC remains undeterred. “We are not non-partisan and we are bold,” he declared, adding that the organisation is working to build alternative political leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.
The current moment, he argued, is a test of Kenya’s democratic resilience. Who speaks for the people and who merely speaks over them may define the nation’s political future.
