The African Trumpet

What happens to younger folks when society fails to account for and plan long-term? How does the consequence compound over time, and who pays the price? The Elephant in conversation with Trevor Munga.

There is a generational conversation to be had that points to a generational split in the potential youth vote; millennials versus Gen Z. How is it likely to play out in the next 15 months? The Elephant in Conversation with Andréas Otieno.

Kenya's baronial class—a tight-knit elite of political dynasties, business moguls, and landed gentry—has entrenched itself since independence, perpetuating backwardness through systemic plunder. The Elephant in conversation with Chief Justice Emeritus, Willy Mutunga.

Kenya's crisis stems from elites disconnected from our societal roots. Imported from global neoliberal templates, they prioritize foreign debt traps, IMF dictates, and elite capture over organic, people-driven solutions. This alienation fuels inequality, erodes trust, and stifles authentic African agency—demanding we reclaim leadership grounded in our lived realities.

The economy continues to reflect a complex and ambiguous dynamic with a very vivid lived reality for the citizens. What will it take for Kenya to build proper safeguards that ensure the public finance fundamentals are representative and productive for every citizen? The Elephant in conversation with Bajeti Hub CEO, Dr. Abraham Rugo.

Despite the numbers quoted by leaders, Mwanachi's life across health, education, agriculture, and daily sustenance continues to be tough with little ease in sight. At what point will Mwanachi say, " Enough"? The Elephant in conversation with grassroots mobilizer Mary Gichuki.

Kenya has 40 million adults but only 22 million registered voters, with 8 million abstaining. Voter apathy is evident as few register. The typical voter is disengaged, raising concerns for future elections. The Elephant in conversation with Charity, aka Gen Z Baddie, a teacher and political activist.

Young men are active participants in our politics as citizens, aspirants, voters, goons, and facilitators. In this chat, Alfred Abuka joins Yusuf Wanjala to audit how young men show up in politics.

Joe Kobuthi chats with Darius Okolla about millennials’ dashed dreams. From the 2010s optimism—youth innovation, democratic hopes—to today’s authoritarian backslide, debt traps, stalled reforms, and failed dreams.

Muthoni Drummer Queen, Kenya's genre-bending rapper and Blankets & Wine founder, channels the Gen Z uprising in her latest reflections. "We the people shall rise," she declares, amplifying youth-led protests against corruption and inequality that rocked Kenya since 2024

They were born into a nascent democracy, weaned on the rhetoric of liberalisation, Structural Adjustment Programs, and globalisation. Theirs was to be the dividend of the new constitution, a generation unshackled from the ghosts of the past, poised to inherit a “digital” nation on the rise. Kenyan millennials have become a generation in limbo—the defining cohort of a betrayed promise. Agneta Asitwa helps us explore this topic not with nostalgia, but with analytical urgency: Where are the Millennials?

African millennials, born roughly 1981-1996, navigate a continent of rapid urbanization, digital connectivity, and economic volatility, facing high unemployment, social exhaustion, and a profound sense of identity crisis. The Elephant in conversation with artist Hezbon 'Baba Taifa' Bahati.

As we come to the close of the year 2025, we have had an interesting year full of notable events, major wins, and big losses, especially the elders we lost in the public sphere. Our guest Zahid Rajan walks us through the key highlights of the year just to recap what has been a very eventful year 2025 and what these events have meant for the citizens and the country.

What happens after the protests? How do you translate protests into policy? In this episode, Shakira Wafula walks us through the various strands that give the active citizen a pathway to reform, even as they build on the recent Gen Z revolution.

Edwin Shamir joins Yusuf Wanjala to discuss why Gen Z must move from street protests to shaping policy, exploring how their energy, frustrations, and aspirations can drive meaningful public debate and future leadership.

As Gen Z looks ahead, the focus is shifting toward consolidating the gains of the revolution and translating momentum into lasting political power. In this episode, we speak with Sophie Mugure, a Gen Z leader preparing to vie for the Thika Town seat in the 2027 elections. She breaks down what it will take to get more young people on the ballot and the steps needed to make that vision a reality.

At the height of the Gen Z protests, a network of dedicated professionals came together to meet the movement’s diverse and evolving needs. In this episode, we sit down with Joshua Okayo, a leader, lawyer, and activist, who shares his insights on the movement’s wins, losses, gains, and the direction it is poised to take.

Two years on from the Gen Z revolution that reshaped the country’s political landscape, much has been said and written about its impact. While many have since moved on, a core group of pioneers and changemakers continues to carry its torch, fueling hope through their platforms, projects, and collaborations. In this interview, we meet Keith Ang'ana, whose initiatives have created vibrant spaces for dialogue, debate, and community among his peers.

On September 17-18 2025, the Civic Freedom Forum held a two-day Civic Space Protection Summit in Nakuru, a gathering focused on the challenges faced by civil society and human rights defenders. The summit served as a platform for various stakeholders to discuss the increasing threats to fundamental freedoms such as expression, assembly, and association. A key concern raised was the "weaponization of the law" and digital surveillance. The summit underscored the importance of protecting civic space as a cornerstone of democracy. The keynote speaker, Okiya Omtatah, urged vigilance as we develop strategies to counter these threats, strengthen civic organizations, and advocate for greater accountability as we gear up for 2027.

In this episode, we converse with Prof. Maria Nzomo about what Gen Z misses by bypassing formal institutions, and that achieving policy leverage is not only through protests, but also through formal engagement, to embed their demands into frameworks like Kenya’s Public Participation Act. They will also need to hybridise their quest through protest and litigation by using courts to enforce rights, as well as electoral infiltration by running for political offices and supporting their peers who vie.

The current political moment is forcing many spaces where power is exercised and visualized to reckon with the Gen Z revolution. And as Prof. Karuti Kanyinga clarifies, in this interim window, some old truths remain salient; that we need to take the youths seriously, listen to their demands and train them to lead the country in the now and the near future.

In this episode of our Intergenerational Solidarity series, we sit down with Martha Karua, a trailblazer, advocate, and political icon, for a candid and insightful conversation on leadership, integrity, intergenerational responsibility, and what it takes to stand firm in the face of adversity. From her early days in activism to navigating Kenya’s political landscape, Karua reflects on her journey and shares wisdom for the next generation.

The online and offline agitation by the Gen Z cluster has forced the centres of power and political negotiations to grapple with their relevance, function, even as the political class try to reconsolidate. And as political scientist Muthoni Wanyeki outlines, we are at an inflexion point which will upend some critical assumptions about who we are as a country.

The Gen Z protests created a critical political moment whose impact has unravelled many political assumptions. In the midst of it, the constitution stands to mediate between the governed and the governing principles. In this episode, lawyer Atsango Chesoni unpacks the crucial turning points in our constitutional moments that have tested the efficacy of our constitutional document as a country.

Since independence, successive Kenyan governments have—even in the worst of times—relied on a few honourable men and women to sustain the civic public. More importantly, these men and women of honour have depended on robust debate and sound ideas, grounded in law and politics, to pursue their vision of a better society. Senior Counsel John Khaminwa invites us to examine the tools available to the current crop of leaders—tools they can rely upon to build strong institutions for Kenya’s future.

Kenya’s third liberation is laden with all kinds of tentative solidarities between the Gen Zs and their elders, with lessons drawn from the past finding new meaning and expression in the current fight. In this episode, Senior Counsel Gitobu Imanyara reflects on what it meant to fight in the second liberation and to watch the current crop of young citizens pick up the struggle for a more livable Kenya.

In light of the recent political events since June 2024 in Kenya, a dearth of voices have tried to situate and tie these sets of events to immediate pressing concerns and triggers such as theft and high cost of living. In this episode, Senior Counsel Pheroze Nowrojee invites us into an intergenerational conversation to examine the long line of agitation that has kept the power systems in check and what tools from history the Gen Zs can lean on, to drive their agenda forward.

The Kenyan society is yet to decide what the 2024 protests meant for the country, and its citizens, and where to situate it in a long history of agitation. The widespread offline and online dissent has taken on different dimensions across the generations. What is not in doubt is that the protests were about contesting the nature of the state, and the soul of the nation. In this episode, The Elephant's curator Joe Kobuthi and author Darius Okolla discuss what the continuing vocal and open dissatisfaction by the raia means.

As more black folks, particularly black women, in Africa are becoming more interested in exploring non-Christian faith systems, the need for more spaces providing information is becoming more imperative.

In this conversation, we delve into the vibrant phenomenon of street worship in Nairobi City. Righa explains how spontaneous praise and worship events are transforming urban spaces, fostering community, and engaging the youth.

After an eight-decade hiatus, Europe is again at war, and as with all European conflicts past, the invasion of Ukraine is about business; when capitalists want something, they find an excuse to start a war to get it.

The recent protests have brought Kenya’s governance trajectory into sharp focus. As the dust settles, many questions are begging for answers. In this episode, Wanjiru Gikonyo breaks down how the personal is political and the political is personal. She takes us through political participation, Bills in parliament, the debt crisis, and the possible futures in light of the current governance gains and losses.

The 2010 constitution turns 14 years today and has been observed in breach more than in observance. Key among these is the implementation of the rights of people with disabilities. In this conversation between The Elephant's Joe Kobuthi and Helen Mudora explore the nexus between the PWD statutes and the bill of rights.

This podcast features psychologist and wellness coach Salima Macharia as we explore the unique characteristics of each generation’s protest movements. We shed light on the evolving landscape of social change. What did Gen X do right and what could they have done better during protests? What about Gen Zs? Listen In.

To mark the 14th anniversary of the promulgation of Kenya’s new constitution, we speak to Dr John Mutakha Kangu, a constitutional law expert. As a key person involved in the constitution-making nitty gritty, he walks us through the journey from the clamour to the actual realization and what has happened since Kenyans voted for the new constitution.

People who are involved or directly exposed to the protests may have experienced emotional trauma, anxiety, and stress disorders. Some protesters report feeling anxious and reliving the certain intrusive and distressing, involuntary memories, dreams or flashbacks. How does one handle post-maandamno blues, and decompress? Psychologist Kamau Mwangi walks us through the topic of post-protest trauma and fatigue and the steps needed to stay whole and healthy during this protest season.

People who are involved or directly exposed to the protests may have experienced emotional trauma, anxiety, and stress disorders. Some protesters report feeling anxious and reliving the certain intrusive and distressing, involuntary memories, dreams or flashbacks. How does one handle post-maandamno blues, and decompress? Psychologist Kamau Mwangi walks us through the topic of post-protest trauma and fatigue and the steps needed to stay whole and healthy during this protest season.

Kenyans have always exercised their rights to protest as enshrined in the Constitution. The safety, dynamics, respect for rule of law between the protesters and the police and the state has undergone significant changes. Wambua Kawive breaks down what is similar vs what has changed in the nature of protests in Kenya.

The Gen Z protests have provided an interesting crucible with which citizens interact with spatial spaces as they air their grievances. In this episode, we discuss how the various parties make sense of this political moment out in the streets.

Join us in this compelling episode as we delve into the intricacies of Kenya's recent Finance Bill protests, exploring the pivotal role of fact-checking journalism. Our esteemed guest, Linda Ngari, an award-winning freelance journalist and fact-checker, illuminates the critical intersections of information integrity and public dissent, unravelling the complex narratives that shape our understanding of contemporary socio-political dynamics. Tune in for an enlightening discussion on truth, accountability, and the power of informed journalism.

Gen Z shows the power of digital activism - driving change from screens to the streets.

How was your relationship with your dad and how has fatherhood shaped you? On this Father's Day, we honour grandfathers, foster dads, adoptive dads, stepdads, Godfathers, Father figures, and all the men who uphold paternal bonds. Happy Father's Day.

Madaraka Day is a special occasion in Kenya's calendar. But beyond the festivities, Madaraka Day is also a time for reflection and unity. Do you feel Kenyans still attend national events, and what drives them to attend or not? What would you want the leaders to address on Madaraka Day? And what would you want older Kenyan folks to tell you about the Madaraka experience? Listen in on Gen Z's perspective on Madaraka Day.

For a long time, very few used to talk a lot about mental health, and thankfully many more people do now. In this episode, we explore what has changed, because these days everyone, everywhere is mental health this and that. Still, do we have a generational gap between Gen Z, Millennials and our folks on the attitudes towards seeking mental health services? We also ask, how much do family dynamics and societal pressures contribute to mental health issues among young people? Listen in.

We are hostages of this venal, idiotic class that harps on sovereignty and independence because all they can do now is enclose us in these colonial borders in the name of Handshakes and Handouts.

In recent years, Generation Z has garnered a reputation for being both entitled and woke, but what does this mean for the future? This conversation explores the nuances of Gen Z's identity, questioning whether their perceived entitlement clashes with their woke ideals or if it's a manifestation of their desire for a more equitable world.

Gen­er­a­tion Z has emerged as a pop­u­la­tion increas­ing­ly wor­thy of atten­tion, espe­cial­ly now as its old­er mem­bers are in their 20s and have become a polit­i­cal­ly engaged force in recent elec­tions.

Fresh controversy is swirling over Kenya's ballooning debt crisis even as President William Ruto prescribes painful tax measures to fund his 3.68 trillion debut budget that has been squeezed by debt service costs.

More than 90% of Kenyans have rejected the Finance Bill 2023, which includes the government’s taxation plan for the financial year starting in July 2023, a new survey has shown. The courts have extended the conservatory orders on the Bill. The Elephant speaks to Abraham Rugo, PhD, the International Budget Partnership's Country Manager. He has a passion for homegrown solutions to society's problems and works to localize and personalize policy matters that are otherwise complicated.

The Kenya Finance Bill 2023 is an unfair and regressive legislation favouring the wealthy and corporations at the expense of the working-class and poor majority. The Elephant in conversation with Diana Gichengo, National Coordinator at The Institute for Social Accountability (TISA).