https://unilibrary.zetech.ac.ke:8443/xmlui/handle/zetech/124 2026-06-17T11:49:14Z 2026-06-17T11:49:14Z Eric, J. Irungu Solomon, N. Kimaita https://unilibrary.zetech.ac.ke:8443/xmlui/handle/zet/335 2026-05-21T13:29:29Z 2026-05-16T00:00:00Z

Social Media and the Deconstruction of the Gender-Neutral Engagement in Political Activism of Generation Z Techizens in Kenya Eric, J. Irungu; Solomon, N. Kimaita This paper explores how social media has provided a platform for tech savvy Generation Z (Gen Z) youths to engage in the competitive world of Kenya’s political activism. It draws from the recent push by Gen Z activists to push for anti-government protests geared towards a reformation of Kenya’s political and governance landscape. It draws primarily on the ungendered dimension of these activities via a robust reliance on social media platforms for political mobilisation, organisation, political messaging and gender barrier breaking among the youthful activists. It recognises that Gen Z activism cuts beyond gender barriers and this contributes to a deconstruction of the narrative that Kenyan political activism is male dominated. The paper argues that this has been possible via the faceless and genderless medium of social media platforms that many Gen Z techizens belong to. The paper is guided by the following objectives: to assess the extent to which social media has provided a genderless platform for political activism in Kenya; to analyse how social media has revolutionised the politics of protest in Kenya; and, to evaluate the deconstructive capacity of social media in the portrayal of the gender-neutral nature of political activism in Kenya. For its theoretical framework, the paper is guided by the Framing theory as propounded by Goffman and the Constructivist theory as propounded by Wendt. The paper argues that social media is providing a critical tool towards the deconstruction of existing social constructs in the political realm of explaining Kenyan politics particularly from its gendered connotation. Social media is presenting new avenues for political activism anchored on digital platforms. These platforms have aided in the framing of political narratives that challenge the status quo and resonate with the Gen Z populace in a way that they best understand each other. The paper finds that this will refine the reframing of political messaging towards political communication in a manner that exemplifies the inherent voices of protest of Gen Zs. This will be transformative as it will introduce a new construct as Kenya moves to the upcoming 2027 political contest. The paper recommends a robust rethinking of the socio-political construct emerging from the Gen Zs in terms of the evolutionary realities emerging and how these will shape political expression in this technologically driven space.

2026-05-16T00:00:00Z Irungu, Eric J. Kimaita, Solomon https://unilibrary.zetech.ac.ke:8443/xmlui/handle/zet/329 2026-01-21T11:40:31Z 2025-08-01T00:00:00Z

Social Media and the Deconstruction of the Gender-Neutral Engagement in Political Activism of Generation Z Techizens in Kenya Irungu, Eric J.; Kimaita, Solomon This paper explores how social media has provided a platform for tech savvy Generation Z (Gen Z) youths to engage in the competitive world of Kenya’s political activism. It draws from the recent push by Gen Z activists to push for anti-government protests geared towards a reformation of Kenya’s political and governance landscape. It draws primarily on the ungendered dimension of these activities via a robust reliance on social media platforms for political mobilisation, organisation, political messaging and gender barrier breaking among the youthful activists. It recognises that Gen Z activism cuts beyond gender barriers and this contributes to a deconstruction of the narrative that Kenyan political activism is male dominated. The paper argues that this has been possible via the faceless and genderless medium of social media platforms that many Gen Z techizens belong to. The paper is guided by the following objectives: to assess the extent to which social media has provided a genderless platform for political activism in Kenya; to analyse how social media has revolutionised the politics of protest in Kenya; and, to evaluate the deconstructive capacity of social media in the portrayal of the gender-neutral nature of political activism in Kenya. For its theoretical framework, the paper is guided by the Framing theory as propounded by Goffman and the Constructivist theory as propounded by Wendt. The paper argues that social media is providing a critical tool towards the deconstruction of existing social constructs in the political realm of explaining Kenyan politics particularly from its gendered connotation. Social media is presenting new avenues for political activism anchored on digital platforms. These platforms have aided in the framing of political narratives that challenge the status quo and resonate with the Gen Z populace in a way that they best understand each other. The paper finds that this will refine the reframing of political messaging towards political communication in a manner that exemplifies the inherent voices of protest of Gen Zs. This will be transformative as it will introduce a new construct as Kenya moves to the upcoming 2027 political contest. The paper recommends a robust rethinking of the socio-political construct emerging from the Gen Zs in terms of the evolutionary realities emerging and how these will shape political expression in this technologically driven space.

2025-08-01T00:00:00Z Irungu, Eric J. https://unilibrary.zetech.ac.ke:8443/xmlui/handle/zet/325 2026-01-19T13:06:14Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

The Political Economy of Regional Integration in Africa: Prospects for the Future Irungu, Eric J. This chapter focuses on the current setup of regional integration efforts within the African continent focusing on their origins, political economic challenges that have characterized African integration, and the prospects that integration has for the continent. Africa’s regional integration is assessed from the perspective of the complexities associated with globalization and the resultant political-economic structure it has created. It argues that an understanding of Africa’s integration and its prospects for the continent’s future can be understood from an informed analysis of integration efforts since African states attained political independence in the 1950s and 1960s. This has cast Africa’s integration efforts in a complex web of emergent political and economic factors. The chapter asserts critical developments towards deeper integration under the auspices of the African Union’s African Economic Areas (AEAs), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA), and Africa’s Agenda 2063 which are significant milestones the continent seeks to achieve. This is underpinned by a series of political challenges ranging from political instability, political turmoil, political and diplomatic differences among states, lack of political will, and lack of commitment to the implementation of the policy frameworks that are required to actualize Africa’s integration agenda. The continent in the meantime has generated positive economic outlooks that could jumpstart the much-needed economic growth. This presents an opportune moment for African states, business leaders, policymakers, governmental and non-governmental leaders, academics as well as other African and foreign stakeholders to ponder the path that African integration must take to realize the continent’s growth and development prospects. It is this delicate political economic mix that is worth exploring to identify critical aspects that African integration is enveloped in. Philosophically, the chapter is guided by Karl Popper’s philosophy of piecemeal social engineering which advocates for a piecemeal approach to policy issues as opposed to rapid changes. It argues that borrowing from past lessons learnt from Africa’s integration efforts, the continent can build on them and put in place pragmatic frameworks that can ensure that viable options are considered. It presents a number of recommendations on how African states need to reorient the continent’s integration agenda in order to achieve their goals.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Arwa, Benedict Sabala, Kizito https://unilibrary.zetech.ac.ke:8443/xmlui/handle/zet/324 2025-12-05T06:49:45Z 2025-11-19T00:00:00Z

Unilateralism, National Interests and Regional Integration in the East African Community Arwa, Benedict; Sabala, Kizito One of the challenges facing integration processes worldwide is balancing between unilateralism and collectivism in the pursuit of national interests. Since the establishment and reestablishment of the East African Community (EAC) in 1967 and 2000, respectively, unilateral decisions by partner states in pursuit of their respective national interests have not only undermined the regional integration process but continue to slow down the achievement of its objectives. Using Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda to mirror the EAC, this study examines how unilateralism and the pursuit of national interests affect the integration process. The paper finds that while the pursuit of national interests contributed to the establishment of the EAC regional cooperation in the colonial period and its re-establishment in an increasingly highly globalised period, it has equally undermined the effective implementation of the regional integration agenda. The paper utilises secondary data and situates the study within the Neorealism and Rational Choice Theories of International Relations. It recommends greater political will and respect for all the statutes of the Community. Secondly, partner states are to respect the Community’s institutions and promote good governance, the rule of law, including holding free, fair, and credible elections.

2025-11-19T00:00:00Z