Finland’s President, Alexander Stubb, has praised the historic Kenyan Gen Z movement that emerged during the anti-government protests in June last year, describing it as a significant demonstration of democracy.
Speaking during his three-day State visit to Kenya, President Stubb shared his thoughts in an exclusive interview with Citizen TV, emphasizing that the protests, which sparked diverse global reactions, positioned Kenya as a champion of free speech.
He expressed admiration for the youth-driven initiative, highlighting the role of technology in modern activism. Stubb also compared the youth-dominated demographic of Kenya to Finland, where the elderly make up the majority.
“I think June 25 became a symbol in many ways, especially because of the youth movement. I had the chance to speak with various NGOs, including youth leaders. I now have a solid understanding of their perspective, and we also discussed the matter with President William Ruto to understand his view,” he remarked.
“If I may commend Kenya for its efforts to address issues surrounding June 25…I believe Liberal Democracy hasn’t adapted to modern technology since its creation in the 1700s when things were slower and cumbersome. Now, we live in a world where direct democracy is much more accessible, and every nation is finding its own way to handle it. Kenya’s demographic curve is younger compared to Finland’s older demographic. I admire the youth activism and democracy I see in Kenya from afar,” he continued.
President Stubb underscored the core principles of any liberal democracy, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law to ensure smooth governance.
At the same time, he warned about the shifting dynamics of governance, noting that even in established democracies like those in Europe and the U.S., protests have been met with severe repression.
“Liberal democracy is not a fixed state, it requires constant work and nurturing. It is built on several fundamental principles: elections, an independent judiciary, separation of powers between the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary, rule of law, strong institutions, freedom of speech, free media, and a vibrant civil society,” he explained.
“However, even in Europe and North America, some liberal democracies are imposing limits on basic freedoms…on what democracy truly stands for. We must be cautious and ensure that these restrictions do not spread,” he concluded.
