By Caleb Koyo
When President Samia Suluhu of Tanzania announced her bid for re-election in the coming polls, what should have been a moment of national pride, a symbol of democratic contest and the people's will, exposed how fragile Liberty and political democracy remain in Tanzania.
So far, the opposition party, CHADEMA, has been prevented from participating in the October Polls after its leader, Tundu Lissu, called for reforms. Lissu has so far been charged with treason. It's necessary to note that the candidate for the second-largest opposition party, ACT Wazalendo, has also been disqualified, leaving President Samia Suluhu clearly vying against herself. What should be a season for different candidates to share their manifestos with the people has become exclusion and silencing.
Tanzania, over the years, has been labelled stable by many. Still, the truth is that stability without Liberty does not amount to anything, Samia Suluhu inspired so much hope during her early days in office following the death of President Magufuli, but recent arrest of political opponents and constant threats to international observers depicts a government imposing on party rule, the conversation is not only about Tanzania, neighbouring countries are following suit, what happens in one capital is most likely to spread across entire east african region.
Following Tanzania's elections should surely be unsettling for a country like Kenya. At the same time, our political space is very competitive, we still strive daily for freedom and Liberty, from the government putting pressure on the media to abductions and uncalled-for restrictions, Liberty is surely not secure here either.
Tanzania offers the East African region a mirror, really. We turn to it to see and understand what happens to a country without opposition. President Samia doesn't see herself as a competitor but as a custodian of power.
Across Africa, democracy is slowly backsliding, Military coups have become common in the west of the continent, constitutional manipulations are the order of the day and even civic spaces are becoming narrower in regions like Southern of Africa, it's no surprise that East African youth, especially the Kenyan Gen Z are demanding more as far as transparency, inclusion and accountability is concerned, however much this is positive, without democratic spaces, these demands continue to be suppressed, Tanzania's october elections then, is not only crucial for the country, it's a test to whether East Africa will embrace democracy or fall back to one party rule covered in democratic attires.
Defending Liberty then, is a shared responsibility, Citizens must realize that Liberty is the foundation of dignity, when opposition voices are silenced, so too are calls for better services that Citizens surely deserve, ruling parties too must embrace competition, opposition figures must not be viewed as a threat, history teaches that governments that shut rivals often lose trust that is needed for a country's stability. Civil society, religious institutions, business leaders, non-governmental organisations, and foreign partners must speak clearly: Liberty is non-negotiable.
As "Bongo" prepares for October 29, the rest of East Africa must pay attention because the message is very immediate: Liberty once lost can only be achieved through struggle. East Africa is clearly at a crossroads. We must ensure that our liberty story doesn't turn out to be a cautionary tale but an example of hope and renewal. The future surely depends on our decisions today; we all have a part to play.
By Caleb Koyo
When the Kenyan government tabled the controversial 2024 Finance Bill last year, it intended it to be another routine budget cycle. Instead, it ignited one of the most significant youth-led protest movements in the country's history.
All over the country, chants of Reject Finance Bill went up in the streets, in the chaos, young people and leaders stepped forward with courage and purpose. One of them was Kevin Kimani, a youth leader who in the last elections contested for membership in the County Assembly Njoro Ward.
To him, the demonstrations extended beyond mere politics, he says it represented a proclamation of freedom. But the protest was not just a Kenyan thing.
As Kenyan President William Ruto, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and Ugandan Yoweri Museven continue to influence the democratic trajectory of the region, citizens in East Africa are losing trust in elected representatives.
In Kenya, corruption and allegations of suppressing dissent overshadow the President. Increased surveillance and constant crackdowns have shattered hopes for reforms in Tanzania. In Uganda, power has remained in the hands of a single individual for nearly four decades.
However, a movement is emerging, and youth leaders, journalists, and Gen Z activists are voicing their concerns. "The protests showed us the sheer power of Kenya's young people," Kimani said. "It was a reminder that leadership is not about titles or positions, but about standing with the people. Gen Z stepped forward with courage and made their voices impossible to ignore.
"When young people organise without fear, it should tell us something: freedom and prosperity will never come from government handouts or control. They come when people claim their right to be heard and to shape their future."
Kimani insists the lesson is bigger than politics. "The spirit we saw in 2024 is the spirit of liberty itself. It was a wake-up call, the youth will no longer wait to be invited into democracy. We are already here, setting the pace for a freer, more prosperous Kenya."
As protest chants filled Nairobi's streets, another battle was unfolding, one for the right to broadcast. On the day police sirens echoed nationwide, the Communications Authority, Kenya's media regulator, issued an emergency order: no live reporting of the protests. The government said it was to prevent incitement to violence. But press freedom advocates say it was censorship.
Amnesty International reported that in just one day, 19 demonstrators were killed, over 500 were injured, and journalists were directly targeted despite being clearly identifiable.
Among the victims of this crackdown was a journalist, Catherine Wanjeri, who was struck by rubber bullets while covering the protests in Nakuru. And when anti-corruption blogger Albert Ojwang died in police custody during the same period, many saw it as a message to those who dare to speak truth to power.
In this hostile climate, journalists were not only chronicling events but risking their lives to do so. One of them is Rodgers Otiso, a Gen Z reporter who covered the Finance Bill protests for the Standard Media group, the leading mainstream media in Kenya.
The ban, Rodgers said, revealed just how fragile press freedom was reduced to during the protest in Kenya.
"When information is suppressed, misinformation thrives. Brokers were downloading old images and content and passing them off as new, which only added confusion. The truth became harder to find, and that's exactly why the media's role is so important."
During this time, Standard Media Group, the outlet Otiso was reporting for during the protests, was temporarily shut down by the government.
As protests roar in Kenya, Tanzania is getting even worse in terms of civil liberties. On assuming office following the death of President Magufuli, President Samia Hassan hoped to bring transparency, but soon introduced regressive laws and measures such as silencing opposition voices, restricting civic participation through mass arrests, media censorship, and enforced disappearances. Citizens live in a democracy that preaches reforms but practices absolute control.
President Hassan initiated her re-election campaign after influencing the electoral commission to ban opposition parties and also oversee the arrests of opposition figures.
While Tanzania wrestles with the gap between reformist rhetoric and hidden constraints, Uganda's reality is even more entrenched. For over 39 years, President Yoweri Museveni has stamped his rule by constantly changing the constitution. The Computer Misuse Amendment Act of 2022 enabled his government to suppress dissent. But even in these circumstances, small yet resolute voices of resistance persist.
"When laws like the Computer Misuse Act are passed in the name of 'security,' what they really do is silence the most vulnerable," explained Joan Mugaba, founder of the Young Women's Hub and staunch advocate for inclusive education. "For women and young people with disabilities, these laws make it harder to organize, to advocate, or even to simply share their stories online without fear."
For Joan, education and storytelling are acts of defiance. "Education gives people confidence and language to resist. Storytelling ensures our experiences are not erased. When young women tell their stories, they transform their communities."
Thanks to the Young Women's Hub and her literacy project #BooksIntheGhetto, Mugaba has built grassroots platforms where women and youth can flourish despite political repression. But she stresses the need for support beyond Uganda's borders.
"Regional and global allies must do more than issue statements," she said. "We need solidarity, mentorship, and resources that reach the young leaders on the ground. That's how real change begins."
This report was produced as part of the Liberalist Centre’s Journalism for Liberty Fellowship program with funding support from Atlas Network and the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA).
African youths are a generation of innovators and problem-solvers; however, they lack the necessary support to help address climate change. Governments should provide more support for formal and informal education and involve the youth in the decision-making process regarding climate action.
Schools and community programs should incorporate climate education in their curriculums to instill climate literacy and help young people learn to tackle environmental challenges. Community programs should drive change together with the youth, whether it is by launching renewable energy projects, reducing waste, or championing conservation efforts.
Climate bright ideas, or any other idea, take off without financial support. Governments and organizations should provide sponsorship and grants to innovators working on climate-smart solutions; every country should have a budget for such investment.
Inclusivity during policy making is also key; the youth deserve to be included and heard during conversations on environmental policies; despite being the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, reports indicate constant exclusion in the decision-making process; the continent should realize the vital role young people play in ensuring sustainability.
Finally, while governments and organizations must come clear on how they address climate change in the continent, it is also worth noting that the youth should be proactive, be the most tech-savvy and active on the internet, and lead in community-based empowerment and enlightenment.
Author’s Profile
Moses Stefanus is a Medical Laboratory Science student at the Namibia University of Science and Technology.
CoELIB empowers entrepreneurs, researchers, and change-makers across Africa by turning ideas into impactful, scalable solutions. Through incubation, leadership development, research commercialization, and strategic communication, CoELIB fuels sustainable economic growth and transformation.