Kalonzo Urges Gen Z to Turn Online Activism Into Votes Ahead of 2027

Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka has urged Kenya’s Generation Z to convert online activism into voter participation ahead of the 2027 General Election.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the former Vice President called on young Kenyans to register as voters and use the ballot as the primary means of influencing political change. He warned that reliance on social media protest without electoral engagement risks leaving the youth marginalised in the democratic process.

Kalonzo addressed Generation Z directly, saying their concerns about governance must be expressed through voting rather than online campaigns alone. “Your future is not decided by hashtags or comments. It is decided by the ballot,” he said. He challenged young voters to hold President William Ruto’s administration to account through democratic participation, urging them to register and vote in 2027.

His remarks come as Kenyan youth continue to dominate online discussions on economic pressure, governance and accountability. Despite this visibility, voter registration among young people remains low, raising concern that their influence may not translate into election outcomes.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has previously raised similar concerns. Joyce Ekuam, the commission’s director of voter education and partnerships, last year encouraged young people to take part in voter registration drives, stressing that elections require physical participation at polling stations.

Political analysts have warned that limited youth engagement in formal electoral processes could reduce their leverage in shaping national leadership. Given Kenya’s youthful population, turnout among young voters is expected to play a decisive role in the next election.