Two years after significant protests by Generation Z against President Ruto's government, thousands of young people in Kenya are preparing to demonstrate once again. The upcoming protests are a response to ongoing issues that have prompted discontent among the youth.

George Aladwa, the ODM Nairobi County Chair and Makadara MP, announced that ODM supporters will not participate in the upcoming Gen Z protests scheduled for Thursday. He emphasized the party's support for President William Ruto's administration following a coalition agreement, stating that protests do not address the challenges facing Kenyans. Aladwa called for peace, job creation, business opportunities, and development instead of chaos and destruction.

Kenya's Gen Z protests in 2024, which focused on issues such as proposed tax increases, the rising cost of living, unemployment, and corruption, garnered significant global attention. Initially sparked by opposition to the 2024 Finance Bill, the protests evolved into a broader challenge against the political establishment. An economist evaluates the outcomes of these protests, considering what has changed and what remains the same in the political landscape of Kenya.

The protests, which originated as a digital campaign, evolved into one of the largest youth-led demonstrations in Kenya's recent history. This movement was characterized by its lack of clear political sponsors, hired crowds, or ethnic divisions, as young Kenyans utilized social media to organize and advocate for their demands.

Rigathi Gachagua, leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), has warned Kenyans, particularly Gen Z protesters, against participating in planned commemoration protests, citing intelligence reports of a potential violent crackdown in the Mt. Kenya region. He expressed concerns for public safety following previous demonstrations that resulted in fatalities, urging citizens to stay away from the streets on Thursday.

Police in Nairobi have sealed off key roads in anticipation of protests organized by Generation Z activists. The demonstrators are calling for justice for over 80 individuals who lost their lives during the 2024 demonstrations and last year's anniversary protests.