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Paper short abstract:

A discussion on how digital platforms were used by Kenyan youth in the Gen Z protests of 2024 and the implication on traditional media.

Paper long abstract:

This paper examines the role of digital media platforms in shaping Kenya’s Gen Z protests of June 2024, arguing that the interconnectedness of Kenyan youth through social media has transformed political protests and the dissemination of information. Historically, traditional media served as the primary source of news and information. However, in the 2024 protests, there was extensive use of digital platforms such as X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Signal, TikTok, and Instagram. These platforms not only facilitated rapid mobilisation and coordination of the protests among the young protesters, but they also bypassed traditional media gatekeepers, amplifying the youth's voices.

The paper also explores how digital media has emerged as a powerful tool of expression in modern African society. It highlights the nature of digital platforms as spaces of free speech and expression, enabling youth political participation and the democratization of news and information—while also exposing the shortcomings of traditional media.

By analysing the role of digital media and its implications for traditional media during the 2024 Gen Z protests, this study chimes in on current conversations about the role of technology in the political context. It argues that the 2024 Gen Z Protests signal a new era for political engagement in Kenya, highlighting how chronically underserved groups, particularly Kenyan youth, are using digital media to express their views and challenge the political class.