ONLINE ACTIVITISM TAKES THE LEAD IN MOBILIZATION OF PROTESTERS
This is a powerful moment for digital activism. The protests have seen significant participation from young Kenyans who are using digital media to organise and voice their opposition. A great number of those driving the protests are Generation Z (often referred to as Gen Z) – individuals born roughly between the late 1990s and early 2010s and characterised by digital prowess and social consciousness. They have created this organic, grassroots movement which has used platforms, like social media, to mobilise and coordinate efforts quickly.
In the current protests, how innovative activists can be when using digital media. The digital tools and strategies employed today are taking activism to an entirely new level. They showcase a sophistication and reach that would’ve been hard to imagine.
They have deployed a number of old, and new, strategies.
Among the new has been Artifical Intelligence (AI) which has been used to create images, songs and videos that amplify the movement’s messages and reach a wider audience.
AI was also used to help educate wider audiences on the bill. Developers, for instance, created specialised GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) models designed to answer questions on the finance bill.
Platforms, like Tiktok and X are being used to share videos of people explaining the finance bill in various Kenyan dialects.
Hashtags – such as #OccupyParliament , #RejectFinanceBill2024 , #OccupyStatehouse and #RutoMustGo – trended on social media platforms for several days, further highlighting the power of digital activism in mobilising support and maintaining the momentum of the protests.
And then there has been very successful crowdfunding through digital platforms. This has enabled supporters to send money for transportation, allowing more people to join the protests in Nairobi’s central business district.
Another has been jamming of government websites, disrupting services and drawing attention to their cause.
Personal information, such as the phone numbers of political leaders, were leaked to allow protesters to spam them with SMS and WhatsApp messages. This forced the office of the data protection commissioner to issue a statement warning them to stop.
Activists have also created a website featuring a “wall of shame” that lists politicians who support the Finance Bill. This helped the protestors increase pressure on parliamentarians to potentially change their stance. Some constituents are taking steps to recall their MPs.
