Nairobi, July 9- A powerful new hashtag #WeAreAllKikuyus has taken over social media, with Kenyans uniting online to reject tribal narratives allegedly being used by political leaders to divide the country in the wake of recent anti-government protests.
The hashtag, which trended on X (formerly Twitter) over the past 24 hours, is widely seen as a response to the Ruto administration’s alleged efforts to paint the June 25 and July 7 demonstrations as Kikuyu-driven, despite their nationwide support and participation.
While initially appearing to be an expression of pride in Kenya’s largest ethnic group, the Kikuyu who number over 8.1 million, or 17.13% of the population the phrase quickly revealed a deeper political message: a rejection of tribal scapegoating and a call for national unity.
Blogger Cyprian Nyakundi, known for his controversial and politically charged content, is believed to have been one of the early influencers behind the hashtag’s momentum.
The narrative being pushed, critics say, seeks to isolate one ethnic group despite the fact that millions of Kenyans from all backgrounds including Luo, Luhya, Kamba, Kisii, and others have taken part in the ongoing Gen Z-led protests calling for accountability and reforms.
“This hashtag exposes the government’s lie. #WeAreAllKikuyus,” wrote one user, capturing the spirit behind the trending phrase. Many online echoed the same sentiment: that this is not a tribal movement, but a national one.
