Creative Revolution - The Intersection of Art and Activism: The Role of Kenyan Creatives in Contemporary Movements

In the wake of protests and growing political literacy, Kenyan creatives are harnessing their power of creativity to push for systemic change and document the realities of the nationwide protests. 

AI-generated image of Kenya’s youth-led, anti-finance bill protests

The protests, which began on June 18, were originally sparked by the introduction of the finance bill for the financial year 2024/2025. The bill aimed to raise or introduce taxes on a range of daily items and services, including internet data, fuel, bank transfers, diapers, and Sanitary pads. The government claimed that these measures were necessary to pay interest on national debt and reduce the budget deficit. However, people saw them as punitive and an additional burden to an already strenuous existence, exacerbating an already high cost of living. 

Amidst this backdrop of social and economic unrest, creatives emerged as pivotal figures in the movement. Using their voice to inspire, inform, and educate. Music, visual documentation, art, and graphic design have all played a big role in galvanizing public sentiment and bringing international attention to Kenya by capturing the collective spirit of the people. 

Music has always been the heartbeat of activism. Although social justice is typically thought of as a political agenda, music has been a soulful force that invites and maintains broad participation in these movements. Historically music has intertwined with social justice in both shaping cultural identity and political consciousness. Just as the Blues and Jazz functioned as a repository of cultural engagement, with its lyrical content evolving over time to reflect whatever social challenges African-American communities were facing at the time. Or the role music played in the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. Similarly, Kenyan music continues this legacy. Whether it's from Eric Wainaina's song from 14 years ago “Nchi Ya Kitu Kidogo” to “Tujiangalie” by Sauti Sol, to contemporary music like “Kuna Siku Youths Wataungana” by Wakadinali, music reflects social and economic challenges that people face. While music itself does not organize movements, it grinds things up into lived experiences. It helps to situate the abstractly political into the concretely personal. It feeds into our emotional lives and helps us relate with others in our communities.

Through the employment of visual language, photography and videography,  content creation has played a crucial role in the recent protests that have swept across Kenya. From education and sensitization of the finance bill to documentation of the protests and mobilization of Kenyans, these visual mediums have been indispensable. Photography in the realm of activism serves as a visual claiming of space and a way to humanize narratives and make protest feel more real and impactful to the viewer. The ubiquitous presence of phone cameras has democratized the art of photography, enabling the average person to engage in digital activism. Hashtag activism leverages social media platforms to bring attention to the movement with hashtags such as #RejecFfinaceBill2024 trending globally. By viewing photography as activism, we transform the camera into a powerful medium for capturing and amplifying the voices advocating for change.

When we think of modern-day protest, often our first visual cues are the large, bold, creative, and arresting signs and placards that poke through seas of people and often go viral on social media. The visuals of the protest have become an art in and of itself. Graphic design plays a pivotal role in shaping the visual identity of the movement and rallying people behind a cause. For example, the current protests taking place under the banners of the Occupy Movement. Posters, banners, and social media graphics communicate the movement’s messages powerfully and precisely.

Other moments in art and social justice that intersect are not always seen as a deliberate or integrated part of historical or social movements. Instead, these instances might be perceived as coincidental or incidental connections rather than intentional and coordinated efforts. For example, the role of visual art in the protests often goes unnoticed. However, visual art, through murals and street art, communicates powerfully, capturing and preserving moments of defiance and unity. 

Together, these art forms create a powerful message of resistance.

Music stirs the soul,

Art captures the heart, 

Photography documents the truth,

Graphic design communicates the message.

They amplify each other, creating a comprehensive narrative that embodies the spirit and demands of the protesters.

Kenyan creatives draw from our own stories and struggles to fuel our art. It is through this personal connection that our work resonates, transforming abstract political issues into tangible, relatable narratives. As artists and activists, our personal stories provide the "why" behind the actions, grounding the art into lived experience and connecting with others in their communities. This biographical grounding helps to situate the abstractly political into the concretely personal, creating a powerful foundation for a movement.