Peaceful Eldoret Gen Z protest turns chaotic as goons take charge

 What began as a peaceful demonstration to honor fallen Gen Z heroes in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, turned chaotic after suspected politically-sponsored goons infiltrated the protest.
The demonstration, led by Gen Z activists, was organized to mark the one-year anniversary of 60 young protesters who lost their lives during last year’s demonstrations against the controversial Finance Bill.
According to eyewitnesses, the goons—mostly believed to be millennials—blocked the symbolic Silverline area, a well-known political hotspot in Eldoret, hindering the progress of the peaceful march. This obstruction sparked violent clashes between the two groups.
“We are not here to cause chaos; we are here to honor our fallen heroes,” said Hosea Steven, one of the protesting youths. “We believe these goons were paid to disrupt the maandamano, but we are Gen Z—fearless, tribeless, and leaderless.”
The disruption led to the closure of businesses across Eldoret, as shop owners feared looting. Transport services were also paralyzed, particularly along the busy Eldoret–Uganda Highway.
Kenya has recently seen a disturbing trend of goon infiltration during anti-government protests, with a similar incident reported in Nairobi during demonstrations over the killing of Albert Ojwang.
Protesting youths strongly condemned what they described as political sabotage and vowed not to be silenced by intimidation.
“This is a new era. The earlier politicians accept this reality, the better for all of us. We are the change, and the change is now,” declared Mercy Wanjala, another protester.