The ongoing youth protests by the Zoomers generation, commonly known as Gen Z, over the Finance Bill, 2024 have caused jitters and admiration in Kenya and the entire region.
The street demonstrations that began on June 18 to put pressure on members of the parliament (MPs) to throw out the Finance Bill, 2024, have now metamorphosed into a movement that is rallying against official corruption and other social injustices.
The continuing demonstrations over high taxation and oppressive policies contained in the Finance Bill, 2024 have threatened the William Ruto government and caused unease among the church leaders.
After their demonstrations dubbed “occupy parliament” on June 18 and 20, Gen Z has now strained its eye on the church that was credited for influencing the election of Ruto in August 2022.
The Gen Zs have expressed indignation over the church’s silence as the government continues to raise taxes, misuse public resources, and the increased high-handed approach against critics.
The amorphous group has now added another slogan to its mission, “occupy churches” to ensure that MPs who voted for the Finance Bill on June 20 are not given a chance to address congregations on Sundays.
The Gen Z youth pose a great threat to both the government and the churches because they have no leadership, they have transcended ethnic labels often used by politicians to divide Kenyans, are fearless and tech-savvy.
The threat to invade various churches and shout down MPs led to a tight security arrangement on June 23 in Nyahururu, Laikipia County when President Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua attended St. Mark’s ACK church for a service.
Gen Z had a day earlier written to Bishop Samson Gachathi—who hosted President Ruto—threatening to disrupt the service should the church give the platform to politicians.
While the singing youth were kept far away from the functions by the security forces, it appears the clergy in general are taking the Gen Z wave seriously.
The head of ACK, Bishop Jackson Ole Sapit while addressing the same function said that the Gen Z protests were unexpected and extraordinary.
“These are discerning moments because the Gen Z have no tribe and no religion. The church is yours but Kenya belongs to all of us and we have to listen to one another. Gen Z are our children and not enemies of the nation, so we want to discern what they are saying,” Bishop Sapit said.
The same day, Nairobi Auxiliary Bishop Peter Kamomoe of the Catholic Church, said that the country should listen to what the youth are saying because they comprise 75 percent of the population and their power cannot be underrated.
“They are telling us something which many of us cannot say because of lack of courage or energy,” Bishop Kamomoe told the congregation at the Holy Family Basilica in Nairobi. Gen Z has surprised many Kenyans with their courage and the ability to unite the youth from all ethnic groups.
The church is not only facing prospects of a reduction in attendance but also a drastic drop in offerings should Gen Z manage to persuade a critical mass of the youth to stop going to church—given the widespread perception that the church is in bed with the Ruto administration.
The part played by the church in William Ruto’s victory in Kenya’s 2022 presidential election has generated a lot of debate and controversy.
There were concerns about the church’s influence on voters’ decisions and its place in politics were raised during the election campaign when certain religious leaders were spotted at political events or openly supported Ruto.
During the campaigns, the then deputy president Ruto—who is known for his strong evangelical Christian faith—frequently attended church services and made public displays of his religious beliefs.
Jeremiah Kioni, the Secretary-General of the Jubilee Party says that some clergy were engaged in what he termed as “evil” to influence the older generation during the 2022 elections.
“Imagine my mother who is above 70 and who believes that whoever stands behind the pulpit is holy and telling the truth. If that person directs the elderly to vote in a certain way, they will do it without questions,” said Mr Kioni, who urged the Gen Zs to concentrate on deconstructing the message from the Christian clergy who are likely to do it again because they are receiving money.
Most analysts believe that the church played a key role in Ruto’s election, given that both his wife Rachael, and the spouse of his deputy, Dorcas Gachagua are both pastors.
Ruto regularly attended church during the campaigns, quoting scriptures, and sometimes crying in front of the congregation as a sign of his ‘humility” before God. His opponents nicknamed him “deputy Jesus”, a tag that his ardent supporters readily adopted.
While using the “Christianity card” Ruto ensured that he painted his main opponent, Raila Odinga as a man with no religious inclination. This image stuck with many Christian voters, especially after Mr Odinga complained that religion was being used to brainwash the voters.
Mr Odinga’s wife Ida, added fuel to the fire when she called for the regulation of churches to weed out those that are taking the public for a ride.
Christians comprise 85 percent of the Kenyan population, Muslims make up 11, and 4 percent are members of African churches and atheists.
Now, as the Ruto administration faces numerous criticisms for underperformance, corruption, high taxes, and high-handed treatment of his opponents, Gen Z is targeting the church which they see as a bulwark of the government.
