On June 25, Wendy, a young Kenyan woman, joined hundreds of demonstrators in Nairobi to protest the death of Albert Ojwang, a 31-year-old blogger and teacher who had just recently died in police custody. It was a bold decision on her part, one that came with much fear and uncertainty amid a growing government crackdown on dissent.

"Initially, I wasn't going to show up because I was a little bit scared. They said they were targeting women this time," Wendy told DW.

In the end, she returned home safely. But others didn't.

At least 19 people were killed nationwide during the protests held on that day, which coincided with the first anniversary of last year's storming of Kenya's parliament.

Driven by widespread frustration over police brutality, economic hardship, and what many see as a failing government under President William Ruto, these demonstrations, which are largely led by young opposition voices who self-identify as Gen Z, have become a defining feature of the political landscape of Kenya.

But showing resistance can also take a toll on mental health. "I am completely terrified most of the time when I'm getting out of the house to go for the protests," Wendy explained, highlighting a growing sense of anxiety among young people in the country.

Alex Mutua, another young protester, described the fear that now accompanies every demonstration and political........

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