Gen Z Protests: How the Game of Football Has Become a Peaceful Form of Expression

In Kenya, Generation Z is redefining peaceful resistance by using football as a powerful and innovative medium for peaceful protests.

A new form of peaceful resistance is taking root in Kenya, and its language is spoken through sports, and in this specific context, football.

There is no doubt that Gen Z, a generation born between 1997 and 2012, are often dismissed and misunderstood, but they are slowly rewriting the playbook of activism.

Often referred to as a woke generation, Gen Z are using their love for football, not just as a pastime, but as a powerful medium for peaceful protest. Their movement transcends the traditional political rallies and formal demonstrations of the past.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports

Gen Z have come up with a culture where a witty meme about football can seamlessly transition into a biting critique of government policy, and playing football while protesting displays their art of being peaceful.

Football has the power to unite people across ethnic and socioeconomic divides, and it undoubtedly provides a neutral ground where difficult conversations can be had without the usual political baggage.

Gen Z Protests: What Message is the Young People of Kenya Driving Through Football?

On Wednesday, June 25, 2025, Gen Z led peaceful demonstrations, taking to the streets to honour the lives of young people lost during the first major 'Maandamano' (protests) that occurred on the same day in 2024.

These commemorations served as a powerful reminder of the tragic events of the 'Occupy Parliament' protest, where at least 60 individuals died in violent clashes between security forces and protesters.

The 2024 demonstrations were mainly fueled by widespread public outrage over proposed tax hikes and the severe economic hardship facing many Kenyans.

To pay tribute to those who were lost, Gen Z organised a series of peaceful and creative acts of remembrance.

Instead of traditional marches, armed with crude weapons, they were seen playing football in key areas along Thika Road and the Nairobi Central Business District.

As the protestors played, they transformed the game into an act of protest, chanting the names of the individuals who had tragically lost their lives.

Gen Z are slowly bringing out an innovative approach to activism, proving that protests can also be peaceful. With this, they continue to highlight their commitment to non-violence while still delivering a powerful message.

Beyond the football matches, the protesters carried an array of creative placards that had a blend of humour and serious messaging.

This year's 'Maandamano' not only honoured the dead but also demonstrated a new and evolving form of activism in Kenya.

It was not just through playing football but using the game to pass a powerful message. A case in point is when the protesting youth used Arsenal's long trophy drought to hammer their point home.

"Sisi sio Arsenal at tungojee 2027," one placard read, affirming their need for an immediate change.

The Gunners have not won a major trophy since Mikel Arteta guided them to the 2020 FA Cup, while it has now 21 years since their last Premier League triumph.

However, despite the peaceful nature of the protests, through the game of football, police continue to use tear gas and, in some cases, live ammunition against protestors.

How Sports Has Played a Role in Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding in the Past

Sports has an extraordinary ability to foster unity and act as a powerful tool for peace in conflict-ridden societies. Beyond the thrill of competition and athletic achievement, there are remarkable instances where sporting events and figures have directly contributed to de-escalating tensions and promoting reconciliation.

One notable instance of sports being used as a tool for peace was when Chelsea legend Didier Drogba used football and his influence to promote peace in his country Cote d'Ivoire.

The most iconic moment of Didier Drogba’s peace campaign was in 2005 after Cote d'Ivoire's national football team qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup for the first time in history.

Instead of simply celebrating their athletic achievement, Didier Drogba seized the moment to make a powerful plea to his war-torn nation. A civil war that began in 2002 had divided the country.

Kneeling with his team-mates in front of the camera, Drogba begged the warring factions in the Ivorian civil war to lay down their weapons.

"Men and women of Ivory Coast, from the north, south, centre, and west, we proved today that all Ivorians can coexist and play together with a shared aim, to qualify for the World Cup,” Drogba said at the time.

“We beg you, on our knees... Forgive. Forgive. Forgive. The one country in Africa with so many riches must not descend into war. Please lay down your weapons and hold elections."

This heartfelt message resonated deeply with the Ivorian people and is widely credited with playing a crucial role in bringing about a ceasefire in the civil war, which had been ongoing for three years.

Drogba continued with his influence, and in 2007, he used his influence to convince the Ivorian government to move a national team match against Madagascar from the traditional capital of Abidjan to Bouaké, which was then the base for the rebel forces.

This symbolic gesture was a significant step in bridging the divide between the North and the South, and the match was a huge success, with supporters from both sides celebrating together.

Drogba was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2007. In 2018, he became the Vice President of the international organisation Peace and Sport, which uses the values of sport to build lasting peace in developing nations.

Another instance was during the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which played a profound role in promoting peace and unity in post-apartheid South Africa.

The tournament was the first major international sporting event hosted by South Africa after the end of apartheid in 1991 and the first in which the country was allowed to compete.

Nelson Mandela, elected as the nation's first Black president in 1994, saw the Rugby World Cup as a unique opportunity to bridge the deep racial divides left by apartheid.

Rugby had historically been associated with the white Afrikaner community and was seen by many Black South Africans as a symbol of the oppressive regime.

Mandela defied calls from some within his party (the ANC) to abolish the Springbok emblem, understanding that alienating white Afrikaners would hinder reconciliation.

The team, predominantly white, embraced this challenge, even learning to sing the Xhosa part of the new national anthem, ‘Nkosi Sikelel iAfrika.’

The most powerful moment came during the final match against New Zealand. Mandela walked onto the field wearing a Springbok jersey with Pienaar's number 6 on the back.

This gesture was a masterstroke, signalling to both black and white South Africans that the team belonged to everyone and that he was President for all.

While the Rugby World Cup did not instantly erase all the issues of inequality in South Africa, it served as a pivotal moment of how unity could be fostered through shared experience and purpose.

The protests led by Kenya's Gen Z on Wednesday, June 25, demonstrate a significant evolution in the landscape of peaceful resistance.

This innovative strategy, while unfortunately still met with force from the authorities, echoes historical instances where sports have served as powerful conduits for peace and unity. Kenyan youth continue to harness the unifying power of the beautiful game.