From Tweets to Streets: The Role of Digital Activism in Promoting Constitutionalism in Kenya

Abstract

The 21st century has had digital activism blowup over the years as a revolutionary force that has reshaped how societies confront power dynamics globally (Kavada 2010, 101). Digital activism has become the new battlefield for justice, resistance, and constitutional accountability worldwide due to the rapid rise of internet technology and widespread digital connectivity. In Kenya, digital activism has emerged as a powerful weapon for advancing constitutionalism, particularly through the mobilisations of youth and marginalised voices. The rise of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter (now X), TikTok, and WhatsApp has provided a space for youth and citizens to engage in political discourses aimed at holding the government and its officials accountable. For example, the recent Gen Z protests against the Finance Bill 2024 exemplified the vital role of digital activism in advancing constitutionalism by empowering citizens to exercise their constitutional rights effectively. Digital activism in this period evolved from the online expression of dissent-tweets, posts, and viral hashtags to tangible street protests aimed at compelling the government to respect constitutional rights and freedoms such as freedom of expression, access to information, and the right to peaceful assembly. However, the rapid growth of digital activism has been met with significant barriers such as internet shutdowns, disinformation, and misinformation, censorship, and an unequal digital divide. Overcoming these challenges will ensure digital activism remains an effective tool for real-world political engagement and constitutional rights advocacy. This Chapter situates how digital activism advances constitutionalism in Kenya while highlighting the barriers facing digital activism in the context of the recent Gen Z protests in Kenya.