Kalonzo warns Ruto against underestimating Gen Zs
Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has issued a stern warning to President William Ruto, cautioning him against underestimating the power of Generation Z in political lobbying.
Speaking today, February 21, 2025, Kalonzo attributed Raila Odinga’s failure in the last African Union Commision election to the unexpected influence of Gen Z activism, which he argued played a significant role in shaping the outcome.
He stated that young activists were able to mobilise and directly influence decision-makers, something the political establishment had not fully anticipated.
“I place the blame squarely on President William Ruto, who was the chief campaigner. Alikuwa na nia tofauti kwamba labda akimskuma Raila atakuwa na easier time, but he didn’t know it was going to be very difficult. Na pia ikumbukwe vijana wa Gen Z wako na ability ya kuloby, and they lobbied directly. This is the other main reason Raila failed,” Kalonzo asserted.
He elaborated on how young activists associated Raila Odinga’s candidacy with the same government they held responsible for the violent suppression of protests.
He emphasised that the Kenyan flag Raila carried in his campaign symbolised the very administration that had been accused of killing unarmed protesters, particularly Gen Z demonstrators who had been met with brutal force by security agencies.
The perceived state-sponsored violence against young activists, he said, significantly eroded support for Raila’s candidacy, as many countries associated his run with the ruling administration.
“Wewe, Raila was not Raila; he was the candidate for the Republic of Kenya. Sasa watu wanaangalia ile bendera ya Kenya Raila alikuwa nayo pale ni the same bendera watoto walikuwa wanabeba na chupa ya maji na simu kufanya valid demonstrations na wakauwawa, and no valid explanation. So wakasema ni yule rais aliua watoto ndiye amepresent candidate hapa,” Kalonzo stated.
Furthermore, he claimed that the lobbying power of Gen Z extended beyond Kenya’s borders, influencing the international community’s perception of Ruto’s government.
Kalonzo suggested that the reports of police brutality and abductions of young protesters raised global concerns, prompting foreign governments to question Kenya’s commitment to human rights.
This, he argued, further complicated Raila’s candidacy, as foreign nations viewed his campaign as an extension of a government that had been implicated in severe human rights violations.
“These young candidates have the ability to lobby anyone anywhere, and they lobbied the head of state. Kwa hivyo hizo nchi zingine zikasema, ‘Nchi ambayo inaua watoto, nchi ambayo inafanya abductions.’ Kwanza hiyo ni mbaya sana. Hata heri ile detention without trial because your papers used to be signed that umewekwa ndani,” Kalonzo remarked.
Raila loses AUC
The African Union Commission (AUC) polls that saw Raila Odinga lose to Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf happened on February 15, 2025, after a highly competitive election process in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The contest, which ran for multiple voting rounds, was fiercely lobbied, with candidates struggling to secure the 33 votes needed for victory.
Despite an early lead, Odinga’s support dwindled as the race progressed, culminating in his exit after the sixth round with 22 votes, while Mahmoud held 26.
With Raila bowing out, Mahmoud advanced to the decisive final vote, ultimately clinching the AUC chairmanship.
