From Nairobi to the many streets in India, the student protests have brought smiles to millions if not billions of souls. The youth or Generation Z has surprised us.
The protests in Nairobi on June 25, 2025 which saw thousands if not more Kenyans commemorate the deadly anti-government protests of 2024, during which many youngsters were killed while protesting the cost of living and tax hikes in Kenya also brought a sense of hope to some and trepidation to others.
There is a pattern emerging. We visited Kenya recently, and I could sense a little anxiety about what could happen given the palpable discontent amongst the Kenyans from all walks of life. ‘You don’t understand how corrupt this government is?’ an elderly lady chimed in as I browsed through a stall, I smiled, what could I say to her coming from Pakistan? To make her feel better, I said, I am so impressed by the Kenyan environmental laws and norms here! I wish Pakistanis would learn from your government!’, Wangari Maathai struggled and taught us the value of our lands; for a moment. I wasn’t kidding, walking through the Karura Forrest in the heart of residential area of Muthaiga one really feels the blessings of such environmentalists; lush thick forests with clean waterfalls and river/stream. I felt the clean air and smelled every bit of moss, every flower, leaf and the mud as we hiked. Truly heaven and a blessing.
Kenya in a generation has transformed its environmental policies to completely eliminate plastics from its economy (single use at least) there is recycling at every level of life, public and private; environmental consciousness is embedded in every citizen – poor and otherwise.
It is a relationship with mother earth, our natural habitat, a mutual respect between humans and our natural environment. There is absolutely no littering; the public bathrooms are spotless. The bathroom test is something I do wherever I travel. I find this test is a good indicator of the civic sense, public education and cultural practices in any given society.
Let’s be clear, Kenya is not a first world country, and yet it has taken its environmental protection seriously; it is a priority even amongst the corrupt because Kenya matters. They have understood for Kenya to survive it must respect its land, forests, green spaces, air and water bodies. There are several national parks in Nairobi alone. I paid attention to the management of these protected areas, as we (citizens of Islamabad) are going through to protect our margalla hills and all our green spaces. The laws and enforcement of environmental protection measures exist among the general public outside of the protected areas as a norm. Within the national parks, there are trained rangers and staff at every level enforcing and protecting the animals and habitats from human beings. This is something I noted with awe; the staff weren’t there for us but for protecting nature. The mindset was evident. I was just in awe.
It took one lady, by the way, to alter Kenya’s mindset. Wangari Maathai struggled to protect one forest from land mafias and development vultures and managed to educate and transform the entire nation’s attitude towards what is important for environmental wellbeing. Constitutional protection for the environment emerged from her struggle and forever transformed Kenya. Along the way she also won a Noble Prize.
I had visited Kenya many times before. It was noticeable how they had absorbed green development. Water conservation measures, green bricks, roofing and everything, technology could offer, was evident everywhere. Kenya isn’t particularly wealthy but it seems to have its priorities when it comes to conservation and preservation of its country. It cares for its land and people’s natural habitat.
This was also evident in Masai Mara, the 1510-square miles national reserve where there are many hotels and campsites, no doubt, but they have not been allowed to encroach in or on the wildlife which have roamed here since life was formed on earth. This was so evident in the strict laws enforced by the rangers. Lions, leopards, and chetahs roam with such confidence and lack of fear ( from humans), because humans have not been allowed to encroach.
Coming back to Pakistan, I was distraught to learn that the federal constitutional court thought a constitutionally protected park in the capital, the Margalla Hills are not protected from commercial exploitation. Words fail. As I land back home, I was categorically told, and kept quiet. Next door, the recent victory of the cockroach janta party in India, the spontaneous movement of the youth in response to arrogance of the ignorant, has resurrected hope in our neighborhood. I have said and hoped that 80 years of secularism could not have wiped out a glimmer of conscience. This response from the youth to Modism has reassured that all is not lost.
A conversation with my niece and nephew at home had depressed me; the fear and despondency to push back in the face of brutality by the state isn’t a state of mind we want amongst our youth. I am hoping many in Pakistan aside from the BYC, PTM, will take courage from what the cockroaches in India have shown us.