A survey by the Trends and Insights for Africa (TIFA) has revealed that most Kenyans support the Gen Z movement.
The research which sampled more than 1,500 respondents from the 47 Counties in the eight regions of the country revealed that the youthful movement popularly known as Gen Zs enjoy the backing of a majority of Kenyans at 81 per cent.
The research, however, notes that Gen Zs have much lower support in the Rift Valley region which is the backyard of President Wiliam Ruto.
Similarly, the Gen Zs support declined with respondents aged 35 years and above registering slightly lower support for the youth.
That notwithstanding, 90 per cent of Nairobi residents support the Gen Zs, 89 per cent in Nyanza, 88 per cent in Central and 83 per cent in North Eastern region.
Also, the Gen Zs enjoy 81 per cent of support in Eastern, 80 per cent at the Coast, 79 per cent in Western and 73 per cent in Rift Valley.
Gen Zs enjoy support
The poll also found that the support of Gen Zs transcends political affiliations, with 79 per cent of Kenya Kwanza supporters agreeing with the youthful movement and 20 per cent rejecting them.
Also, 91 per cent of Azimio la Ummoja coalition members support the Gen Z movement with only 8 per cent thinking otherwise.
The research also reveals that a majority of those expressing support for the Gen Z movement did nothing that directly aided the movement.
However, 16 per cent of respondents who supported the movement protested on Social media, 11 per cent protested in the streets and 5 per cent donated water, transport and t-shirts for the protesters.
Additionally, 4 per cent took part in their X Spaces meetings while 2 per cent contributed money to fund some of the activities organised by the movement.
Among the demands by Gen Zs which had massive support were the cutting down of government spending and austerity measures, youth unemployment, lowering the cost of living, the fight against corruption, and the resignation of President William Ruto which was supported by 12 per cent of the respondents.
Also, most supporters expressed interest in the investigation of police officers who shot at protesters, the hiring of intern doctors, the audit of public debt, the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024, the removal of the Cabinet Secretaries from office, reconstitution of the IEBC, lower taxes and accountability of public officials.
The poll was conducted between July 16, 2024 and July 17, 2024, and involved more than 1,5oo respondents reached through telephonic interviews.