Gen Z political aspirants inspire excitement as some Kenyans still demand to know their politicies, manifesto

And in a country where successful politicians are normally deep-pocketed individuals with close relationships with political barons, and men with a proximity to power, these young aspirants have come out to demonstrate the power of the Gen Z beyond the streets - and the willpower to lead and change the system from within.

In Magarini Constituency, for instance, a 25-year old Gen Z has come out to contest the seat on an independent ticket - and with a woefully limited financial might.

Amos Katani, the Magarini aspirant, has already become a rockstar overnight due to his age and staggering courage and determination, stubbornly seeking to occupy a seat that has political heavyweights also eyeing it.

On X, Katani was celebrated for his landmark decision to vie, an indication that Kenya's Gen Z were silently moving their voices away from the streets, and into places where it mattered the most; the ballot.

Lauding his decision, celebrated human rights advocate Hussein Khalid posted on X: "There’s a GenZ vying in Magarini constituency in the upcoming elections of 27th November 2025. His name is Amos Katana. He is 25 years old and vying as an independent candidate. Let’s make him famous."

The tweet quickly attracted an avalanche of ecstatic reactions, garnering 10,000 'Likes' and thousands of comments and reposts, too.

While many commended him for the bold step, others treaded a little cautiously, demanding to know Katana's policies and manifesto before blindly supporting him simply because 'he was young'.

"Ndugu, not to dismiss him but being young is not a qualification. The ones we have don't steal from us because they are old! What's his manifesto for the Magarini people? You cannot ask people to support him just because he's 25. What are his policies and what does he stand for?" someone on X asked.

Boke Njoroge, another Kenyan, opined: "Being young does not mean he is qualified. It's not enough to just replace the old guards, we need to completely change our rationale for voting. What's his manifesto? Does he have a track record for leadership? I am definitely with him. But he needs to convince us of his worthiness beyond his age."

In Baringo county, yet another youthful Kenyan has been making waves and causing a political tremor - at least online.

Samuel Letasio, a Gen Z in his 20s too, has also turned into a conversation after announcing his bid to vie for the Baringo County senatorial position.

A sharp-witted, tall and skilled-speaker, Letasio is slowly winning the masses in Baringo - and online - despite the fact that, by his own admission, he isn't well known, doesn't have deep pockets and lacks the backing of superior political honchos.

But sporting a swanky haircut, snazzy tshirts and chic sneakers, Letasio is doing more than just pushing hashtags online - he's sought to present himself as an option to the people of Baringo, with the hope of clinching the powerful seat that was once held by President Daniel Arap Moi's son Gideon Moi.

Already, there are photos of the young leader traversing the Baringo county wards, conducting door-to-door campaigns, meeting with likeminded people, selling his ideas and winning the masses, one conversation at a time.

"I'm sure I'm not so popular in Baringo but I'm sure there are alot of people who know me. It's only that I've never shown myself but I believe I'm the right candidate," he says in a promotional video.

"I have the right people around me. And I know my party is prepared to be on the  ground as soon as possible. Very soon, the Baringo people will realise that this race is between the old people and the Generation Z."

Also, his campaign handlers have released photos of a new truck which, they say, will be used by Letasio to traverse the county and sell his manifesto.

Sharing the photo of the truck on X, one Letasio insider wrote: "Thanks for your support, we have got the track(sic), we need to brand it to support our boy in Baringo By-elections."

Renowned whistleblower and activist Nelson Amenya has also reinvigorated the young leaders, marshaling online troops to show support and volunteering to help fine tune their digital appearances.

"Any Gen Z running for any seat, just tag me I’m gonna be reposting all of them! Also if you can share your manifestos or plan of action that can be great! I can help to refine it with you with an OKR (objectives and key results) system," he wrote on X.

As it stands, the influx of Gen Z politicians seeking elective office is not merely a demographic shift but a fundamental reordering of Kenya’s political landscape. 

Candidates, many of whom cut their teeth in digital activism and violent street protests, are now taking the battle for reform directly into the formal corridors of power - it's a movement that greatly signals a powerful collective rejection of patronage, deep wealth and ethnic-based politics, championing instead a new demand for economic justice, representation, transparency, and inclusive governance. 

And while there may be detractors, as there always will be, these Gen Z politicians are stopping at nothing to prove their worth, show their faces and meet the electorate - one hushed step at a time.