Youth-Led Art and Protest in Kenya: The Power of Murals, Music and Spoken Word

Across Nairobi, Kisumu, and Mombasa, walls have become canvases of resistance. From murals honouring victims of police brutality to graffiti calling for accountability, young Kenyan artists are reshaping civic engagement through colour, rhythm, and words.

The Gen Z movement, which surged in 2024 and continues to influence public discourse, has placed cultural expression at the centre of activism. Murals have emerged as living memorials to victims of extrajudicial killings. Musicians are producing protest anthems that go viral before authorities even respond. Spoken-word poets now fill community gatherings with raw testimonies of loss and hope.

During crackdowns on public demonstrations, many artists faced intimidation. Some were arrested while painting murals or performing in public spaces. Others saw their artwork destroyed overnight. These acts reflect a broader pattern of suppressing creative expression that challenges the state’s narrative.

Yet the movement remains resilient. Community art collectives are training young people to document injustice through visual storytelling. Platforms like TikTok, X, and Instagram have become digital stages for amplifying grassroots outrage and solidarity.

VOCAL Africa applauds these creative defenders. Art has always been central to resistance, and in Kenya, it is now also a vital historical record. As authorities attempt to revise or erase painful truths, these artists are ensuring that memory remains alive, public, and undeniable.