As a 21 year old Gen Z Kenyan who is living in Nairobi , I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve heard phrases like “Maisha ni kujikaza” ( Life is about hustling hard ) or” just get a good job and stick to it “from the nuclear family and extended family. These bits of advices come from a generation that build their lives in different type of Kenya where there was formal stable jobs , Cheap housing and less economic chaos .
But for my generation we live in a crazy economy with high rates of unemployment, high rent prices and an economy that demands a lot of side hustles .
Therefore their advice most of the time feels out of touch with reality.

Last weekend , I sat with my friends in a Cafe around Kahawa Sukari ,who are Graphic designers , content creators and freelance writers in their mid 20’s and we talked for hours about the same exact thing .
“My dad keeps telling me to move from office to office looking for jobs,” one said , “but everything is on LinkedIn and Upwork now and even then, we barely get anything.”

Another one shared how her grandma insists on “saving for a house,” while we are all struggling to pay rent for our bedsitters in our mid range locations around Kahawa Wendani and Githurai .
These conversations aren’t rare ; they are an everyday reality for many of us .

These intergenerational clash is not just family drama it’s fueling bigger debates in Kenya from the 2024-2025 Gen Z protests against the Finance bill which was aimed at hiking taxes and corruption to online rants about ” boomer nonsense “.
As someone writing from the ground here in Kenya listening to friends and having a look at the economic pressures we face on a daily basis , this article dives into whether older relatives advice is outdated or still holds value in this fast changing world .

The roots of the Divide ; Different Generations Different Realities .

My generation grew up in a Kenya shaped by rapid digital growth, M-Pesa revolutions , and social media revolution.
Youth unemployment currently sits at 13-13 % officially for ages 15-24. over 60% of the urban young adults juggle atleast one extra income stream alongside studies and the main jobs .

The difference with the older generations: Many boomers and Gen X built their careers during a time when jobs were easily accessible and they could even get pensions this buying houses and land for them was easy . Advice like , ” Work hard for one ta one company for loyalty.” made sense then but today ?
Young people have to work multiple jobs because loyalty doesn’t pay bills when rent is due .”

The mismatch deepens since the Gen Z led protests of 2024-2025 where we took to the streets and also on social media against the Finance bill .Older generations dismissed it as lack of respect and idleness while we saw it as fighting systemic issues they benefitted from less privileged ones .
Articles from 2025 highlighted this as ” Communicative dissonance ” which led to mistrust in families and workplaces calling for dialogue between different generations to bridge the gap.

Why it Feels Like Outdated Nonsense : The harsh Realities we face.

Employment is one sore point .” Just get a degree and work hard ” was the mantra but nowadays the graduates have flooded the market even with the limited formal openings .
My friend Sarah , a 23 year old psychology graduate shared over coffees : “My mom says hand out CVs in person , but applications are AI-screened online and most jobs require 5+ years of experience for entry-level.” we are turning to freelancing on Up work , content creation , thrift businesses , and other side hustles which are dismissed by the older generations as not real work .

Even when it comes to relationship or life advice matters .”Settle down early.” does not take into consideration the tough times we are living in economically this delaying milestones like marriages and also getting kids.

These frustrations echo broader sentiments :Gen Z are not lazy ; We are adapting to an economy that demands you have different side hustles to survive . As one article notes down we are slowly walking away from the 9-5 toxic schedules and building digital empires instead .

The Timeless Bits : What Still Resonates.

That said not everything by the older generations is nonsense .Some advice applies to all eras .Financial advice like save for rainy days has saved many of us during tough months .My friend James a 24- year-old running an online thrift store credits his grandpa ,” He taught me to live below my means, which helped me kickstart my business without loans .”
From my chats , we secretly admire some wisdom: It grounds us amid “soft life” trends on TikTok ,reminding us that balance matters .

Data and Broader Picture :What the numbers Say .

Kenya’s 2025 economy mixes hope and hardship , inflation bites but digital tools enable hustles .Youth programs like Nyota aim for jobs , yet skepticism runs high after unfulfilled promises.

Surveys show we’re values driven , prioritizing purpose and wellness over blind royalty .Hustle culture glorifies no-sleep grind ,but burnout looks as many of us push boundaries.

Conclusion : Let’s Talk , Not Clash .

As a Gen Z Kenyan I don’t dismiss all elder advice as nonsense some is gold .But there needs to be an update for our reality : Unemployment, digital shifts and protest demanding accountability .

From my ground level talks with my peers here in Nairobi , the key is dialogue .Listen to our struggles ,share your wisdom adapted .In a Kenya where Gen Z is reshaping everything from politics to fashion , bridging this gap could build a stronger future .
After all we’re all hustling just in different ways .