Kenya’s youth are no longer just marching in protest, they are stepping decisively into the political arena, rewriting how power is contested, and deciding the country’s future.
With 1.5 years until Kenya’s 2027 elections, campaigns are already underway. The atmosphere is charged with rallies and campaign rhetoric. The government has entered the fray, claiming that young people were engaged and that their views were addressed in the post-2024 and 2025 finance bills. Meanwhile, Gen Z protests now echo in campaign speeches. Where they were once episodic political actors, they are now becoming structural ones.
Sustained economic pressure and limited opportunities have driven many young people to protest often in response to perceived government inaction and exclusion from decision-making. As trust in leadership continues to erode, young people are no longer waiting to be included; they are actively seizing their space in policy discussions. They are now participating in civic forums, organising digitally, and stepping into formal politics. More are joining youth-led parties like Ukweli Party, which is known for boldly coming out as an alternative to the many elite parties that in many Kenyan’s eyes are either captured by the elite politicians or do not deeply believe in the people first principles as enshrined in our constitution 2010 that many saw as the beacon of hope and a true compass into the right direction for this country’s political journey after the first liberation from single party rule to multipartyism and now into economic liberation of Kenyans, priding itself not just as formal political party but also taking the shape of a social movement adopting in its core the principal of social justice and human rights.
Ukweli party, in recent times, has also emerged as an alternative platform for any Kenyan to vie for a political seat without feeling any pressure to belong to a particular tribe or fall within a particular wealth bracket, which has become, more and more, the scale and path to political leadership in Kenya. With this Ukweli party lead by ypumg and dynamic group of kenyans and within its ranks having one Boniface Mwangi who vied as a member of parliament in the past election and as again shown interest for the countries top office has opened its doors to especially the youths who have now taken it as responsibility to recalibrate this nation’s future and is now fielding candidates, shaping narratives, and refusing to remain mere spectators to a future they will inherit.
Over 70% of Kenyans are under 35, forming the largest potential voting bloc. Yet, their representation lags behind their numbers. This gap is fueling new forms of youth-led organising. Building on this momentum, the trend has spread to Tanzania and Uganda. Youth there also demand accountability and challenge traditional and political structures, as well as centralised leadership. As a result, a regional generational awakening is emerging. Young political actors use digital tools and cross-border solidarity to shape the future.
This shift was clear at the recent People Dialogues festival, organised by the Centre for Multiparty Democracy, for six years straight. As a frequent attendee, I found this year’s event stood out for its energy and urgency, bringing together political actors, creatives, and young organisers in a deliberate, necessary way. The youth-centred festival moved away from protest as a singular tool of youth participation and focused on sustained political participation through the Gumzo, side events that encourage voter registration, youth involvement in party politics as a basis for national politics, and vying for political office.
At the village D side event, the Manifesto Yetu team held a panel discussion, continuing their work from last year’s delivery of the Youth Manifesto, which aimed to anchor young voices in the political realm. Through the panel discussions, the shift became even more apparent, emphasising the urgency for real, experience-driven participation. It was a moment of reflection as each panellist shared their perspectives. Each one shared their true experiences and what it meant for bridging leadership gaps in our political systems. Sometimes, what seems like shallow talk or political gimmicks is actually a simple action that stands on its own or is anchored to political promises. Many use these promises to hold leaders to account. Wanjiku Thiga, youth leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), attested to the importance of young people being part of parties. This is how they influence party positions on national issues. It also shapes the party’s actions regarding its members' priorities in parliament and beyond. While this is the reality within party frameworks, it is a combined effort for all. Honourable John Gitonga Mukunji, MP for Manyatta Constituency, who vied and won his first term, shared these views as well. He stressed that all voters, at the ward, constituency, and beyond, must always stay engaged with politics. If not, a vacuum may open, which the political elite will gladly hijack. He added that the political process does not end at the ballot box; it continues throughout the leader’s term, contrary to what many believe.
Though we sometimes get absorbed in our local politics, it was refreshing to hear the crowd connect to influences from other countries. The West is often viewed as a model of democracy and leadership. This was captured by Hon Peter Hadwen from Canada. He spoke about the intergenerational link between young and old in politics. In his view, the two groups do not operate separately. They have created space for coexistence, showing the need to see each other as key movers in the political space. In a subsequent panel discussion with Wanjiku Thiga, DCP Youth League leader, Hon John Gitonga Mukunji, MP, and Hon Peter Hadwen from Canada, a broader reality was reflected. Youth political engagement is no longer peripheral; it is now central to how politics is organised and contested in Kenya. Statistically, the youth remain the largest voting bloc with the real power to tilt the national direction. However, this power has not translated into real change. The pre-2027 electioneering period offers another crucial opportunity. With ongoing continuous voter registration by the Independent Election and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), all eyes are on the youth. The question remains: will they turn their street anger into meaningful change? As is often said, it is never too late to make a right out of a long-standing wrong. Now comes another opportunity.
The Youth Manifesto, drafted by young people, addresses issues affecting them and their communities. There is a need for a clear and evolving political blueprint. The Manifesto Yetu Initiative, launched in August 2025, seeks to redefine and update existing political narratives. It is designed as a living framework. It will be built, revised, and strengthened as realities shift.
As economic pressures, governance reforms, technology shifts, and social justice demands constantly evolve, the manifesto calls for long-term commitment. It also embraces political participation that extends beyond the election cycle, supporting sustained, programmatic change rather than short-term mobilisation.
Youth energy and innovation are vital, but they alone cannot secure a sustainable political future. Political renewal needs intentional intergenerational collaboration. Older actors offer institutional memory and access. Younger actors bring demographic strength, innovation, urgency, and new organising approaches. The challenge is not replacement, but shared responsibility. Older generations must make space without defensiveness. Young people must exercise power without erasing history. Both must move beyond cycles of blame and foster accountability.
Constructive intergenerational politics means creating pathways that respect differences without weaponising them. Past struggles, current crises, and future possibilities must be held in conversation. Critique must be informed, contextualised, and solution-oriented. This is how political culture matures through collaboration, not competition.
The main question is strategic: how can youth implement their manifesto while working within institutions they did not build? The answer will determine if this is just another wave of political expression or the start of new civic architecture.
Today’s generation holds significant power to design the future, but that future must be in isolation. It must be constructed deliberately, collectively, and with a long-term vision that extends beyond electoral cycles. If sustained, this shift will not only influence the 2027 elections but also redefine how power is built, shared, and exercised in Kenya.