Mwelekeo Insights study shows why older generations admire Gen Z but doubt their long term impact

A new opinion poll by Mwelekeo Insights shows how Kenyans aged 30 and above feel about Generation Z, the group born between 1997 and 2012.

The study, which included surveys, focus groups, and interviews, found a mix of admiration, doubt, and hope for better understanding between the two generations.

These findings come at a time when Gen Z is playing a big role in Kenya’s social, political, and economic life, especially after their strong stand against the 2023/2024 Finance Bill.

One of the key takeaways from the poll is that many older Kenyans recognize Gen Z’s political awareness.

About 77% agreed that young people are highly engaged in politics, especially through social media. Platforms like Twitter and TikTok have helped them organize protests and push for accountability.

However, not everyone is sure if their activism will bring lasting change.

While 51% praised Gen Z for their courage and structured activism, 44% felt their methods lack proper organization and may not lead to real change.

A smaller group, 5%, were unsure where to place Gen Z’s movement.Views on leadership are divided.

Around 57% of respondents believe Gen Z can be great leaders but need guidance to develop governance skills. However, 35% think they are too resistant to traditional systems to fit into leadership roles.

This shows a clear generational gap older Kenyans, who grew up with different political experiences, may not fully understand why young people reject the old ways of doing things.

About 8% of respondents had no strong opinion on this issue.The survey also looked at Gen Z’s work ethic and economic contributions, and the results were mostly positive.

About 74% agreed that they are highly entrepreneurial, using online businesses, freelancing, and content creation to earn a living.

Their ability to adjust to economic struggles, like high unemployment and inflation, impressed 77% of respondents.

However, 21% still see them as lazy and unwilling to embrace traditional work values, while 5% were undecided.

The workplace remains a tricky area for Gen Z and older generations.

Around 48% of respondents said young people struggle to follow traditional workplace rules, while 39% saw them as completely unwilling to conform.

Only 13% felt that Gen Z was making an effort to fit in. This shows that work culture is a major area of disagreement.

Older generations, who are used to hierarchy and strict work structures, may find it difficult to work with a generation that values flexibility, creativity, and work-life balance.

On social and cultural issues, Gen Z gets a lot of praise.

About 84% of respondents see them as progressive, especially in matters like gender equality, mental health awareness, and environmental conservation.

This matches the global view of Gen Z as a generation that speaks out on social justice. However, 13% of older Kenyans disagree with these progressive views, likely due to more conservative beliefs, while 3% were neutral.

Despite all these differences, the poll shows hope for collaboration.

About 78% of respondents believe that the generational gap can be bridged through mentorship, open discussions, and working together on projects. Only 14% rejected the idea, and 8% were unsure.

This suggests that while tensions exist, many older Kenyans see the value in both guiding and learning from Gen Z.The findings from Mwelekeo Insights give a clear picture of how different generations see each other.

Older Kenyans admire Gen Z’s political awareness, adaptability, and progressive values but worry about their activism’s long-term impact, their workplace behavior, and whether they are ready for leadership.

Still, most believe that working together is possible. As Kenya moves forward, improving understanding between generations will be key to ensuring that both young and old can contribute to the country’s future.

You can view the complete survey details on their official website: https://mwelekeo.com/report/kenyans-above-30-perceptions-of-genzs.

For the full report, visit their social media pages. (@MwelekeoKe), Facebook (@MwelekeoKe), Instagram (@MwelekeoKe), TikTok (@MwelekeoKe), LinkedIn (@MwelekeoKE), and YouTube (@Mwelekeo).