Tortured over a tweet: how the war between Kenya’s Gen Z and their president has moved online

Young Kenyans have aired their disappointment in President Ruto by posting satirical images of him on X – leading to some being abducted, beaten and torturedBilly Mwangi is a 24-year-old student who lives in Embu, 125km north-east of Nairobi. He loves watching football with his dad, likes to hang out with his friends and enjoys playing video games with his brother. He also ran a popular account on X which he used to post about politics from time to time. “I like to defend people” he says. “When Kenyans are not happy I always wanted to voice my concern, because I’ve had political ambitions for a while now.”On 22 December 2024, as Kenyans prepared for the festive season, Mwangi had gone to get a haircut, before heading to church. Continue reading...

May 1, 2025 - 10:23

Tortured over a tweet: how the war between Kenya’s Gen Z and their president has moved online

Young Kenyans have aired their disappointment in President Ruto by posting satirical images of him on X – leading to some being abducted, beaten and tortured

Billy Mwangi is a 24-year-old student who lives in Embu, 125km north-east of Nairobi. He loves watching football with his dad, likes to hang out with his friends and enjoys playing video games with his brother. He also ran a popular account on X which he used to post about politics from time to time. “I like to defend people” he says. “When Kenyans are not happy I always wanted to voice my concern, because I’ve had political ambitions for a while now.”

On 22 December 2024, as Kenyans prepared for the festive season, Mwangi had gone to get a haircut, before heading to church. Continue reading...