Kenyan influencer and digital creator Chebet Ronoh has sparked massive online discussion after emotionally opening up about the harsh realities many young people are facing while transitioning into adulthood.
In a viral social media video, the 25-year-old questioned why her generation has had to grow up during a period marked by crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, soaring living costs, political tension, and economic uncertainty instead of enjoying their youth and building stable futures.
“It’s not even fair. Why is it that when it’s finally my time to be an adult, I also have to fight for my country?” she said.
Frustrations Over Modern Adulthood
Chebet expressed frustration over what she described as endless survival struggles facing young Kenyans today.
According to the content creator, many youths now feel pressured to constantly engage in activism and social issues while also trying to establish careers, relationships, and personal lives.
She pointed to challenges such as the controversial Finance Bill debates, record-high fuel prices, disappearances, and the rising cost of living as some of the burdens weighing heavily on young people.
“Now you want to bring Corona, you want to bring World War 3, the highest fuel prices I’ve seen in my whole life, children missing, people missing,” she lamented.
The influencer said her generation has been forced into fighting social, economic, and political battles they never expected to handle so early in life.
“I’m fighting for my country, I have to fight for the Finance Bill, I have to fight,” she added.
‘You Turned Me Into a Freedom Fighter’
Chebet also emotionally reflected on the personal experiences she feels she has missed out on during her twenties because of the pressures surrounding modern adulthood.
In a light but emotional moment, she joked that she has not even had the chance to fully enjoy life or romance before being pushed into activism.
“I’ve not even seen the Maldives yet. I’ve not even courted properly. You’ve turned me into a freedom fighter at the ripe age of 25,” she said.
Her remarks quickly resonated with many young Kenyans online, with thousands agreeing that adulthood today feels more focused on survival and resistance than enjoyment and stability.