By Debra Rono
According to the most recent Tifa poll, the Rift Valley region exhibited the lowest level of support for the Gen Z movement, which is advocating for various reforms in the government.
The poll, released on Thursday morning, also indicated that individuals aged 35 years and older showed the least amount of support for the Gen Z demonstrations that began on June 18, 2024.
Additionally, the poll revealed that 79% of Kenya Kwanza supporters backed the protests, while 20% did not support them. Meanwhile, 91% of Azimio supporters agreed with the protesters, with 8% not supporting them.
Tifa’s findings showed that 69% of Kenyans did not take any action to support the protests, while 16% showed their support through social media, 11% participated in street protests, 5% donated essentials to the protesters, 4% attended X spaces meetings, and 2% donated money to the protests.
The top three demands by Gen Z during the demonstrations were a reduction of government spending, an increase in employment among the youth, and a lowering of the cost of living.
Fighting corruption and calling for the resignation of President William Ruto were also among the most supported demands.
A majority of Kenyans (75%) believed that the police used excessive force to contain the protesters, while 17% thought that the police used an appropriate level of force.
Nairobi County had the highest percentage of residents (90%) agreeing that the police used excessive force, followed by Nyanza region with 86%, Central with 80%, Eastern with 76%, Coast with 72%, Western with 70%, Rift Valley with 65%, and North Eastern with 64%.
The poll also revealed that 72% of Kenyans supported the removal of the army from the protests, while 28% did not approve of the army’s removal from the protests.
Since the beginning of the protests on June 18, 2024, the country has witnessed a series of demonstrations every Tuesday and Thursday, with protesters demanding government reforms and condemning police brutality during the protests.
The acting inspector general, Douglas Kanja Kirocho, in a statement, declared on Wednesday, July 17th, that the police have prohibited protests in Nairobi. The inspector general stated that the police possess reliable intelligence indicating that criminals intend to infiltrate the demonstrations.
The statement also mentioned that the absence of a leader from the Gen Z demonstrators has hindered coordination with the police for peaceful protests.