After a series of protests over poor governance and corruption that have inspired protests across Africa, the Kenyan Gen-Z have been toying with the idea of forming a political party to crystalise their dreams.

The dream came from the success the Gen-Z had by forcing the government to drop the controversial Finance Bill 2024—where the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank played a big role in crafting

The Gen-Z has tasted blood by not only forcing the hand of the government to listen to the views of the electorate but continues to inspire similar protests across Africa like in Uganda, Zambia, Nigeria and Ghana. 

The Kenyan Gen-Z, though they have not developed the mantra of ‘we want our country back”, as the world has seen in the protests in the United Kingdom (UK), is determined that they don’t want their country to be controlled by foreigners, especially the West. 

After invading the parliament and chasing out members of the parliament (PMs) from the precincts of June 25, the Gen –Z—who were born between 1996 and 2009, and their sister Millennials Generation born between 1980 and 1995, had achieved something which even veteran opposition leader, Raila Odinga had not achieved in his over 40 years in politics. 

Now, the question arises whether they should form a political party and effect a complete overhaul of the Kenyan political system dominated by tribalism in the 2027 elections. 

What is apparent is that forming a political party for Gen-Z is not going to be easy as the political class with immense wealth and experience are beginning to resist. 

On July 28, the Registrar of Political Parties turned down 10 names that had been put forward by Gen-Z for preservation due to what the Registrar, Ann Nderitu termed as lacking in diversity in the names.

The application could not be authorised, according to Ms Nderitu, because it breached Article 91 (1) (a) (e) of the Constitution. Ms Nderitu said that she couldn’t register a party that is purely for certain members of society and excludes others. The Gen-Z have vowed to appeal arguing that they cannot be forced to include other groups that do not share their vision and aspirations. 

The names sought by Gen-Z for reservation included; Gen-Z Movement, Gen-Z National Movement, Gen-Z People’s Alliance, Gen-Z People’s Movement, Gen-Z Democratic Party, Gen-Z Alliance Movement, Gen-Z Democratic Movement, Gen-Z Political Party, Gen-Z United Movement and Gen-Z Alliance Party.

Michael Mika, one of the participants in the protests and emerging Gen-Z leaders, said that the youth don’t need to go the political party way, which in Kenya are just private clubs. 

“The key is not to register a political party. The Gen-Z can go independent as provided in the constitution where the Gen-Z can gain a critical mass in parliament that is directly answerable to the voters. The trick is to register in large numbers before the 2027 elections,” said Mr Mika.

His sentiments resonate with what goes on in Kenya where the old generation owners of political parties provide nominations to their generation fists and leave the pittance to the youth—who are not guaranteed of being elected because of lack of resources. 

The Gen-Z protests were mainly driven by their belief that the Kenyan parliament is simply a rubber stamp of the executive—especially in the Ruto regime that took off in September 2022 by buying opposition members to gain the majority he did not have.

The current campaign by Gen-Z is that unless they get a critical mass in parliament, the MPs will never act on the interests of their voters and will continue pandering to oligarch owners of the political parties.  

Even with obstacles like dwindling public support for their street demonstrations, some Gen-Z activists are now thinking about taking part in more official political activities, like running for office in 2027. 

It is believed that this transition from street activity to political organisation will let them more effectively express their demands and have a say in the future direction of the nation. The Gen-Z are advocating for total rejection of any politician that has been in parliament—be it opposition or in government. 

Strange enough, all the major political parties in Kenya are now angling to attract the support of the Gen-Z for support in the 2027 elections—but are shy to admit that united youth could easily send them home. 

Wiper Party of Kenya, led by former Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka has been the first from the block to appeal to the Gen-Z to consider an alliance. 

Wiper Party Senator for Makueni, Dan Maanzo told Gen-Z that his party is open to receiving individuals who are eager to run for political seats but feel sidelined by other parties.

“The Wiper Party is open to receiving all the Gen-Zs who want to run for seats and have been denied the opportunity by their party. We can sponsor you to run for various seats in the country,” He said. 

The Wiper Party is trying to capitalize on the fact that there are roadblocks that could make the Gen-Z efforts to register a political party more difficult, such as the Registrar of Political Parties’ unwillingness to preserve the name of a political organisation. Regarding their online activism, the Kenyan government has likewise responded in a variety of ways, from tactful interactions, compromise through bribery, and abductions to subtle threats.

Mwangi Maina, a Gen-Z activist is already alarmed saying that the huge bribes offered by the government to some presumed leaders are weakening the movement—even though the Gen-Z had said they are an organic formation with no leadership and affinity to any ethnic group.

“It is very difficult for a young person who has never handled Ksh 1 million ($ 7,675) to resist if offered Ksh 10 million ($77,000). We will always get manipulated if everybody does not play their role to their best,” he said. 

Mr Maina suggests that Gen-Z should embrace the constitutional provision that allows individuals to contest as independents if they find that none of the political parties on offer conforms to their beliefs. “If we take this path, we will be answerable directly to the voters but not political parties,” he said.