A Digital Uprising: Kenyan Youth Unite Under #WeAreAllKikuyus
In a powerful display of solidarity, Kenyan social media users have embraced the trending hashtag #WeAreAllKikuyus, showcasing their unity and defiance against tribal profiling. This movement has gained significant traction on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), where thousands of Kenyans are changing their usernames to include Kikuyu names. The trend reflects a broader rejection of divisive narratives and a celebration of shared identity.
The online movement was ignited after politicians aligned with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) accused the Kikuyu community of being the main instigators of recent anti-government protests. These claims sparked outrage among many Kenyans, particularly the youth who are at the forefront of the demonstrations. One Gen Z user captured the sentiment by stating, “If this regime thinks the protests are all about Kikuyus, then we are all Kikuyus.” This message quickly went viral, turning into a global phenomenon.
Tolong support kita ya,
Cukup klik ini aja: https://indonesiacrowd.com/support-bonus/
The hashtag has now become one of the top three trending topics worldwide. Kenyans are expressing their solidarity by adopting Kikuyu names and celebrating Kikuyu culture through humorous memes and food-related posts. Prominent figures such as blogger Cyprian Nyakundi and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have also joined in, with Nyakundi changing his handle to “Cyprian, Is Nyakundi Kibiru” and Gachagua tweeting, “I am Rigathi Gachagua Reriani. I am from Nyeri,” while tagging the hashtag #WeAreAllKikuyus.
This digital uprising follows weeks of nationwide protests led by Gen Z youth disillusioned with what they perceive as poor governance, broken promises, corruption, and high unemployment under the Kenya Kwanza administration. The protests reached a critical point in June 2024 when demonstrators staged mass demonstrations against the punitive Finance Bill 2024, which was eventually withdrawn by President William Ruto. During these protests, demonstrators stormed Parliament, leading to the deaths of over 60 young people.
The movement regained momentum during this year’s Saba Saba commemorations on July 7, 2025, when fresh protests erupted in several towns. Police sealed off central Nairobi and used force, resulting in over 35 deaths, including a 12-year-old girl in Ndumberi, Kiambu, who was killed by a stray bullet while inside her home. These tragic events have triggered widespread outrage and condemnation from human rights organizations, including the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) and UN Human Rights, who have called for accountability.
Despite the public outcry, some UDA leaders have downplayed the protests as ethnically motivated and blamed the Kikuyu community for sponsoring unrest. However, Gen Z protesters have firmly rejected this narrative. One user stated, “This is not about tribe—it’s about truth,” while another wrote, “Tribalism is a thing of the past. That’s why #WeAreAllKikuyus is trending globally.”
Support us — there's a special gift for you.
Click here: https://indonesiacrowd.com/support-bonus/
In response to the viral hashtag, pro-government accounts attempted to launch a counter-tag, #WeAreAllKenyans, but it has failed to gain similar traction. “Government bloggers are not sleeping today as they try to fetch even 5K tweets on their copied boring tag,” Nyakundi quipped in a widely shared post.
As the digital resistance grows louder, the message from Kenya’s Gen Z remains clear: they refuse to be silenced, sidelined, or divided along tribal lines. In their own words— “Whichever way you look at it, we are not to be rattled.”
