The Documentary Podcast Kenya: A Battle For Gen Z
Sep 16, 2025
Beli Mwangi, a Kenyan activist with a significant following on social media, shares his harrowing experiences of abduction and detention by the government. As anti-government protests sweep across Kenya, he discusses the emotional and physical toll on protesters demanding accountability and justice. Beli highlights the disturbing trend of abductions among youth activists and the struggles for social change, emphasizing the resilience and determination of young Kenyans fighting against systemic repression ahead of the 2027 elections.
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Abduction And Torture Of A Young Activist
- Beli Mwangi was abducted from a bench in Embu, blindfolded and driven for hours before being held naked in a dark cell chained to a wall.
- He was beaten and interrogated about his activism and social media before being released with warnings to stay silent.
Social Media Fueled A New Youth Uprising
- The finance bill triggered widespread youth mobilisation because it hit everyday life amid rising cost of living and visible corruption.
- Young Kenyans used social media to organise leaderless, cross-class protests that traditional movements hadn't achieved before.
Violence Escalates During Mass Protests
- Protests grew massive and turned violent as police used tear gas, water cannon, rubber bullets and live rounds, causing dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries.
- First aid volunteers treated hundreds and found bodies with gunshot wounds and severe trauma among predominantly young victims.