Anti-riot police keep vigil during Saba Saba protests in Kitengela. [Collins Oduor, Standard]
A young Gen Z woman recently appeared on national television to express her opposition to the now-enacted 2025 Finance Bill. Her performance left many shocked-not because of her arguments, but the lack thereof. She showed no basic understanding of the Bill’s provisions, offering no substantive critique, and instead delivered well-spoken but misleading claims. Many of these have since been debunked by the Treasury Cabinet Secretary.
She is not alone. A significant number of young protesters often rely on popular but inaccurate talking points. This problem goes beyond the Finance Bill. As Prof Makau Mutua recently noted, “Gen Z protestors understand Kenya’s Constitution the least among our educated classes. Most have never seen or read it.”
While youth may excuse some of this, it is even more troubling when adults, who should know better, accept hearsay as fact. Even worse is the tendency to treat these narratives as gospel without questioning their truth.
Take, for example, the story circulating that President William Ruto is building a Sh1.2 billion church at State House. Given Kenya’s economic challenges, the claim has caused understandable outrage. But a closer look reveals the truth: The Sh1.2 billion is the total renovation budget for all State Houses and lodges in the country, not a single church. Furthermore, the church in question is merely replacing an existing structure and will cost far less. For context, the ACK Diocese of Embu is constructing an 11-story complex at only Sh300 million.
Divisive narratives
Sadly, the wisdom of “trust but verify” is often ignored. This has created fertile ground for misinformation that escalates public anger, sometimes with national security implications. Consider the case of an opposition MP was said to be abducted, though evidence suggests otherwise.
More recently, activist Ndiangui Kinyagia resurfaced after claims he had been taken by police-claims that led to the vilification of law enforcement and a High Court censure, despite the truth eventually emerging.
Clearly, there are groups intent on spreading divisive narratives. The real danger is not their claims of suppressed freedoms but the unwillingness to scrutinise such claims. Those who challenge the popular anti-government discourse are often dismissed as regime apologists.
Even seemingly harmless phrases like ‘wantam’ have been turned into rallying cries of discontent, despite being based on distortions or resolved issues. Meanwhile, economic data tells a different story. Inflation stands at 3.8 per cent, within the Central Bank of Kenya’s target. Food and fuel prices have stabilised after the government’s interventions. The current account deficit is at its lowest in five years. Forex reserves are strong, exceeding the statutory four months’ worth of import cover and interest rates are approaching pre-Covid-19 levels.
Yes, many Kenyans continue to face hardship, but so do people globally. Prof Emmanuel Mutisya, an economist, notes, “The economic challenges Kenya faces today are being experienced globally.” He adds that Kenya remains Africa’s top six performing economies.
It is time Kenyans acknowledged what’s working, even while calling for more progress. Manufactured outrage over false claims harms our national unity. Those who spread it must be challenged. Democracy allows us to change leaders at the ballot. Until then, let us remain informed, vigilant-and peaceful.
Mr Khafafa is a public policy analyst
By Leonard Khafafa