NAIROBI – June to August were tumultuous and transformative months in Kenyan politics. In what came to be dubbed the “Gen Z movement”, young people used social media to physically mobilise against the government’s tax proposal. The capital shook. Hanifa Safia Adan – better known as “Honey Farsafi” – was one of the leading voices and organisers.
On social media, Adan describes her existence as “mundane” and “humdrum”. But it is far from that. She is a highly visible, quick-witted social media activist.
Her activism for social justice and accountability in Kenya began years ago. She has long angered many powerful figures, including Nairobi’s governor.
“Before I started my advocacy on the internet, I lobbied for change on the ground,” she tells The Continent. “It didn’t help, much. Out of frustration, I posted on social media about garbage accumulation in Nairobi. A three-decade problem was fixed in two months.”
Lesson learned, this time around she used social media to mobilise thousands of people to marches and raised about $230,000 for the medical and funeral expenses of those whom police injured or killed in their response to the protests.
“The trust and accountability I have built online made it possible,” she says, adding: “I accounted for the money and was publicly audited.”
Her activism has come at a cost. The misogyny and ethnic bigotry of many of her critics is chilling.
“I have been attacked for being a vocal woman, a Muslim, and for my Somali heritage” she says, lamenting society’s constant need to “humble women”.
Her visibility has many people speaking of her as a key opposition figure in Kenyan politics, something she is quick to distance herself from, saying: “I have no ambitions or desires for any political seat.”
And that is faithful to the spirit of the Gen Z protesters who shook Kenya.
Unlike all political actors before them, they don’t want power, Adan says. Just “a country that works for everyone”.
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