‘Sherehe Sheria’ and 4 things destroying Gen Zs in 2026
Kenya, the economic hub of East Africa, clearly shows that its citizens, the majority of whom are young people, are hard-working and ambitious.
Between 5:00 am and 7:00 am, along major roads, one can innocently think that a meeting or major event is taking place somewhere.
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But oops, no. Those are Kenyans trekking to their workplaces; others are rushing to factories, construction sites, offices, or informal jobs just to earn an honest living.
Gen Zs are not lazy. They are energetic, creative, and ambitious. However, 2026 has exposed certain lifestyle patterns that are quietly undoing many of their efforts.
These are not overnight disasters. They are habits that look harmless at first but slowly destroy focus, finances, and direction.
Here are five of the biggest ones.
‘Sherehe Sheria’ lifestyle
‘Sherehe Sheria’ has become more than a slogan. It is a mindset. It represents reckless partying, impulsive spending, and living as if tomorrow does not matter.
Parties are planned without budgets. Money meant for rent, savings, or investment is spent in one night. Social media pressure makes it worse, with people trying to prove they’re enjoying themselves instead of building stability.
Many Gen Zs wake up after weekends full of regret. The problem is not celebrating.
The problem is celebrating without limits, planning, or accountability. Fun without discipline eventually becomes a financial trap.
Gambling culture
Gambling has quietly become normalised. Betting apps, odds groups, and ‘sure bets’ dominate phones. For many young people, gambling is no longer entertainment. It is seen as a shortcut to success.
The danger is subtle. Small bets become daily habits. Losses are chased aggressively.
Money earned through hard work is handed back to betting platforms. Gambling kills patience, breeds desperation, and rewires the brain to expect quick money rather than steady growth.
Alcohol abuse
Alcohol itself is not the enemy. Abuse is. In 2026, alcohol had become a daily escape for many Gen Zs. Stress, pressure, unemployment, and comparison drive people to drink frequently instead of addressing problems.
Alcohol abuse affects judgment, productivity, relationships, and health. Some young people lose jobs, opportunities, and respect simply because drinking takes priority over responsibility. What starts as “cooling stress” becomes dependence.
Illicit relationships
Illicit relationships are another silent destroyer. These include secret affairs, transactional relationships, multiple partners without boundaries, and relationships driven by money rather than values.
Such relationships drain emotional energy, finances, and focus. They create drama, guilt, secrecy, and instability.
Many Gen Zs find themselves stuck in cycles of manipulation, heartbreak, and distraction that derail personal growth and long-term goals.
Wrong friends and company
No factor influences a young person more than the company they keep. Friends shape habits, thinking, spending patterns, and decisions. Wrong company normalises bad behaviour. It makes irresponsibility look cool, and discipline look boring.
Many Gen Zs fail not because they lack potential, but because they listen to voices that mock planning, hard work, and patience. Being surrounded by people with no vision eventually kills your own.
