Protests by Kenyan youth against planned tax increases have brought a powerful institution – the Church – to its sense of responsibility. The country, where more than 80% of the population, including President William Ruto, identify as Christian, has witnessed a unique and transformative youth movement.
The young protesters accused the Church of siding with the government and allowing politicians to use the pulpit as a political platform. The unprecedented challenge prompted Catholic leaders to respond by organizing a special mass for young people from churches in and around Nairobi to commemorate those killed by police during the anti-tax protests.
On a recent Sunday afternoon, hundreds of young people gathered at the Basilica of the Holy Family to pray for the dead. A few weeks earlier, the basilica had been the scene of an unusual disturbance: songs were sung from the altar by the computer-savvy Generation Z, expressing frustration at the Church’s apparent lack of support for its campaign against draconian tax hikes.
Addressing the congregation, Bishop Simon Kamomoe acknowledged the grievances of the youth. “I know that as young people, you sometimes feel disappointed, even by the Church,” he said. “We would like to renew our commitment to serve you. We may be wrong… May the Lord forgive us as a Church, where even before God, we have failed you.”
Bishop Kamomoe urged the youth to be patient in pursuing their dreams, guided by the Church, and to repent for the sins committed during the protests. “We don’t want to lose you, we don’t want to lose our youth,” he said frankly. “The Catholic bishops are very concerned about the loss of this generation,” he added, stressing the need for peace and protection of lives.
The mass, marked by fiery singing and thunderous cheering, with Kenyan flags waving in the wind, was seen by many as a welcome but overdue first step. “I feel like for the first time, the church is realizing that young people are serious,” said Yebo, an anonymous protest participant. “And I also feel like the church hasn’t really been on our side. It’s been on the defensive for a long time.”
Despite pressure from religious organisations against the bill, it was the overwhelming number of young protesters that forced President Ruto to reconsider his position. Gen Z protesters were vocal about the seemingly close relationship between Christian and political institutions, raising suspicions about religious leaders visiting the Capitol even during protests.
“We think the president is buying the church,” Meshack Mwendwa said. “On social media, you see church leaders holding envelopes alongside executive leaders and permanent members of government. And that’s not what we want as young people. It’s time for that to change.”
One of the important changes they demanded and achieved was an end to the ostentatious practice of “Harambee”: politicians donating large sums of money to the Church, which often translates into political influence on Sunday mornings. The protest movement, under the hashtag #OccupyChurch, aimed to end this practice.
Even President Ruto, who had previously used the pulpit for his political messages, supported the youths’ position. “On issues of pulpit politics, I agree 100 per cent,” he said during a media roundtable. “We should not use the pulpit in churches or any other place of worship to do politics. It is not right.”
Following this, President Ruto banned state officials and civil servants from making public charitable donations, directing the Attorney General to develop a mechanism for structured and transparent contributions.
Rev. Chris Kinyanjui, general secretary of the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), acknowledged the complexity of the situation. “Our president speaks from the pulpit. You know what the pulpit means? He is unquestionable. So he has become a very powerful figure in Kenya’s political and religious circles. Generation Z is questioning and saying they don’t know the difference between government and church.”
Outside the basilica, at the end of the Mass, Mitchelee Mbugua stressed the determination of the young people. “We are the Church. If the Church shows that it does not support us, we move away from it. If we are not there, there is no Church. So they must listen to our grievances. Because we are the Church.”
Rev. Kinyanjui highlighted the fragility of the social contract with Kenyan youth, noting NCCK’s concern that Kenya could follow the path of Sudan, where a youth revolution was aborted by a military coup leading to civil war. “We are happy that the president was able to defuse the situation. [this crisis]”If he had signed this finance bill, who knows what would have become of us?”
Moving forward, NCCK intends to adopt a proactive and visible strategy, serving as a voice and conscience for society. “In a way, we see Generation Z as doing the Lord’s work, and I think that’s something that has awakened many pastors.”
Mimi Mefo Info
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