Thousands of people in Kenya are gearing up for demonstrations as the country commemorates the second anniversary of Gen Z protests on Thursday, and mourns more than 120 people who were killed in a movement that galvanised a generation of young Kenyans two years ago.Initially triggered by an overarching tax bill in 2024, young protesters – known as “Gen Z” – mobilised against the rising cost of living, unemployment and government corruption, aiming to push President William Ruto out of office.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listThat did not happen, but the government was forced to walk back on the tax bill. Still, the broader challenges, including economic inequality, which triggered anger among young people, have not been resolved, experts say.A commemoration event last year, to mark the first anniversary, turned bloody, as the government forces cracked down on protests, killing more than 60 people.This year, Ruto’s government has repeatedly warned against protests, which are set to start on Thursday, and has again ordered a heavy police deployment.Like last year, Gen Z demonstrations are expected to return to major cities across the country, including in the capital, Nairobi, on Thursday.So, how did Kenya’s Gen Z protest begin, and what’s in store this year? …
