Social media personality and comedian Eric Omondi has issued a stern warning against underestimating the potential of Kenya’s youthful population and dismissing their capacity to drive political or leadership change.

Speaking to a local TV station on Friday, January 16, 2025, Omondi poured cold water on the dismissive attitudes of certain politicians toward the country’s youth, warning them to hold such views at their own peril.

Omondi specifically referenced Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie’s remarks on the anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests, where he argued that the photos used to represent the demonstrations were doctored.

The lawmaker was later forced to retract his statement as he issued an apology.

“Leaders need to stop underestimating young people, as they did in 2024. They were surprised when young people entered Parliament. Yet today, they are driving the narrative that young people are lazy, irresponsible individuals who never take voting seriously, and drunkards,” Eric Omondi stated.

“They are repeating the same mistake they made in 2024. Let them never again underestimate the Gen Zs by driving a narrative that they have no agenda, never vote, and have no significant influence.”

Omondi concluded by urging the youth to plan accordingly, not only to register as voters but also to stand for elective positions when election time arrives.

“I want to urge the populace not to despair or get discouraged. I want to tell them we still have time, and we will register. At the moment, they have opted to be quiet, and there is no more dangerous person than a silent one,” he added.

Omondi’s remarks mirror those of activist Boniface Mwangi, who described the country’s youth as a force representing the most potent threat to the status quo in Kenya.

Young people

Speaking on Friday, November 21, 2025, Mwangi stated that with better organisation, the grouping could be an unstoppable force.

“Young people are the strongest opposition in this country, and when they organise, they are unstoppable,” he affirmed.

He emphasised that they remain solely responsible for bringing leadership change. a facet he says will only be attained via a strategic, united, and principled approach.

“If we want better leadership, we must build it together. No one is coming to save us. We save ourselves by choosing integrity, speaking truth, and standing with each other,” he stated.