Charles Owino Unmasks 15 X influencers Behind Gen Zs Protests

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Charles Owino Unmasks 15 X influencers Behind Gen Zs Protests

Former police spokesperson Charles Owino has identified 15 social media influencers he claims are behind Kenya’s current Gen Z-led protests, despite none of them being part of the generation credited with leading the movement.

Speaking on TV on Sunday July 6, Owino said the digital protests, mainly mobilized on X (formerly Twitter), are being orchestrated by older, more established online personalities. According to Owino, while the protests look like a youth led uprising, the real power lies with prominent commentators, activists and politicians.

“These are the 15 handles that influence the country’s digital space,” Owino said. “And none of them is Gen Z. They spread information and mobilise young people to protest.”

Those named included activist Boniface Mwangi, political analyst Francis Gaitho, blogger Cyprian Nyakundi, activist Hanifa Farsafi, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna. Other digital influencers listed were former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, @Oduk, @Wangechi, @Asamoh, @Benjandolo, @PropesaTV, @Menharsakar, Kimuzi Kimaiyo, Eric Amunga (alias Amerix) and @Sokoanalyst.

Owino said these individuals have a lot of power in shaping online discourse and therefore fuel public frustration among Kenya’s youth – especially the unemployed – by linking economic grievances to government leadership.

“It’s easy to sweet talk [young people] and tell them they are not employed because of the current president or government,” Owino added, warning that the country’s youth are getting more and more susceptible to online manipulation.

In a separate statement, Owino lambasted activists who are threatening to take the International Criminal Court (ICC) to court against police and government officials over the recent protests. He said they are weaponising international justice mechanisms to intimidate state authorities.

“Using the ICC as a tool of fear will only provoke unintended consequences,” Owino warned, saying actions like vandalism and burning of police stations cannot be justified under the guise of activism.

The former police spokesperson’s remarks come after a series of nationwide protests that turned violent. The protests, widely seen as part of the Gen Z movement, have gone global for their digital coordination and political messaging.

Authorities have called for calm as discussions continue on youth unemployment, online influence and freedom of expression in Kenya’s changing political landscape.

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Charles Owino Unmasks 15 X influencers Behind Gen Zs Protests