Member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), Winnie Odinga at a past event. PHOTO/UGC.
By PATRICK MAYOYO
After scanning through social media, it is becoming increasingly clear that the younger generation in this country are no longer content with being told that they are the leaders of tomorrow.
This narrative that has dominated for decade that young people must patiently wait their turn to lead, has lost its appeal. Instead, the younger generation, armed with new ideas, fervour, and a hunger for change, is now demanding a seat at the table.
As we approach the 2027 general election, a palpable sense of urgency is brewing among millennials, Gen Z, and even the emerging Alpha generation, who will actively campaign for their ideals, if not yet vote.
The rise of various fan pages on Facebook like, Winnie Odinga for Luo Kingpin, H.E.BABU Owino for Nairobi Governor 2027, Hon. Edwin Sifuna for President 2027 and ODM Asili reflects the shifting political tides in the country.
What’s remarkable is that these groups are not initiated by the individuals themselves, but by their dedicated supporters, mainly the youth, who are pushing these leaders into new political spaces. In this sense, they’re not just excited about politics, they are clearly determined to disrupt the old political order and set a new course, led by a younger generation.
For far too long, young Kenyans have been labelled as apathetic or disinterested in politics. Yet, the events of recent years suggest otherwise. When they flooded Parliament in protest against the 2024/25 Financial Bill, their voices were loud and clear: they are ready to fight for their future.
Their disillusionment with the status quo has been brewing for years, and now, it’s on the verge of boiling over into action. The once dormant “Gen Z volcano” has finally erupted, and the youth are demanding a change, not tomorrow, but today.
At the heart of this emerging youth-driven political movement is the idea of generational change. As Kenya barrels towards the 2027 polls, we find ourselves at a pivotal crossroads. Veteran politicians like President William Ruto, DCP’s Rigathi Gachagua, Peoples Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Jubilee’s Dr Fred Matiangi and ODM stalwart Dr. Oburu Oginga belong to the older generations.
The emerging youthful MPs and Senators who are mainly Millennials (Gen Y) born between 1981 and 1996 and Generation Z (Gen Z) born between 1997 and 2012 who are also being supported by Generation Alpha for those born between 2010 to present.
Embattled ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna with MP Caleb Amisi. PHOTO/File.
On the other hand, they are now fighting for power with people like President Ruto, Gachagua and Dr Matiangi who are Generation X that represents those born between 1965 and 1980, Karua and Kalonzo who are Baby Boomers a generation of people born between 1946 and 1964 and Dr Oburu who is a is a member of the Silent Generation that represents those born between 1928 and 1945.
The 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census shows that people aged between 18 and 35 years make about 30 percent of the country’s population while 45 percent of the population is under 18 years old meaning the youth are majority in the country.
The demographic structure revealed by the 2019 census suggests that Kenya’s electorate is increasingly youthful. By the 2027 General Election, the entry of large numbers of new voters combined with the already significant 18–35 demographic is likely to make the youth the most influential voting bloc.
This will push political actors to prioritise youth-focused policies, intensify digital campaigning, and engage first-time voters more strategically. However, the ultimate impact of this demographic advantage will depend on the level of youth voter registration and turnout.
Are the youth therefore going to embrace a youthful presidential candidate rather than relying on a younger running mate on an old guard ticket? They are likely to compromise on the presidential ticket but assert themselves in other elective positions.
The emergence of the “Linda Mwanachi” movement spearheaded by Sifuna, along with other youthful leaders like Babu, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, signals a generational shift that we can no longer ignore.
These individuals are not just challenging the political establishment; they are redefining what leadership should look like in the 21st century. They’re challenging the assumption that youth must always play second fiddle in Kenya’s political theatre.
Sifuna’s rise, in particular, has stirred up the political landscape. Initially dismissed as a political novice, Sifuna now commands not only the attention of ODM but also a growing faction of young voters.
His slogan “ Mimi Ndio Sifuna” (I am Sifuna) has evolved into the rallying call “SISI NDIO SIFUNA” (We are Sifuna), echoing the sentiments of a youth vote that demands to be heard.
Sifuna and Babu Owino during Kitengela rally. PHOTO/FILE
His audacity, his rhetoric, and his unflinching stand against the status quo have catapulted him into the national spotlight. In his own way, he is becoming the voice of a generation that refuses to sit back any longer.
The winds of generational change are not unique to Kenya. Across the continent, younger leaders are taking the reins. Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, elected at 44, is a prime example of what’s possible when youth rise to power.
And, much like President Barrack Obama did in 2008 in the United States, a youthful Kenyan candidate could change the trajectory of the country’s politics, offering a fresh alternative to the old establishment. Just as Obama emerged as a beacon of hope for young Americans, Sifuna and his peers have the potential to do the same for Kenya.
However, the question remains: will Kenya’s youth rally behind a leader of their own generation in 2027, or will they fall back into the trap of supporting older candidates with younger running mates? Should the youth, after all their years of waiting, once again accept the mantle of being “leaders of tomorrow,” or is it time for them to take charge today?
It’s clear from the growing support for leaders like Sifuna and Babu that the youth are ready to take the lead. It’s no longer a question of if, but when. If Kenya continues to entrust the nation’s future to leaders whose best days are behind them, we risk allowing the country to remain shackled to the past. The youth no longer want to be spectators; they want to be the architects of the future.
As a member of Generation X, I have long watched the unfolding of Kenya’s political drama, but now, I am watching the younger generation come into its own. It’s their time. They are ready to not only take up the leadership mantle but to shape a political culture that reflects the needs and aspirations of a rapidly changing world. The time for the youth to lead is now, not in some distant future.
To those who argue that the youth should be patient, I say this: The youth have been patient long enough. The country has been led into the ground by older generations for decades. It is now time for the younger generation to take their rightful place at the helm and steer the nation toward a better future. Kenya, the time for generational change is now.
