Former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana has called for a fundamental shift in Kenya’s political engagement with young people.

Taking to his official X account on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, Kibwana warned that symbolic gestures and surface-level dialogue will not be enough as the country edges closer to the 2027 general election.

He argued that the time has come for genuine intergenerational conversations anchored on power-sharing, rather than what he described as attempts to merely “mollify” Gen Z and Millennials.

“As 2027 approaches, there is yes need for genuine inter-generational dialogue. Not one to simply mollify Gen Z/Ys. Such dialogue must be about POWER-SHARING,” Kibwana stated.

Kibwana’s remarks come amid growing pressure from youth-led movements demanding greater inclusion in decision-making processes, leadership structures, and national governance.

He cautioned that without meaningful inclusion, frustrations among young people could continue to manifest in disruptive ways, including what he termed ‘goonism’, a reference to politically instigated violence often involving young people.

To address this, he proposed a two-tiered approach: structured youth-to-youth dialogue to confront internal challenges and broader national conversations involving state institutions.

“A second youth-youth dialogue to stem goonism is a must,” he added.

Call for police reforms

The constitutional lawyer also called for a reset in the relationship between citizens and law enforcement, urging a redefinition of public service under the principle of Utumishi kwa Wote (service for all).

“Then a CITIZEN-POLICE dialogue on redefining Utumishi kwa Wote,” he said, pointing to long-standing concerns about policing, accountability, and public trust.

Political actors are increasingly turning their attention to the 2027 elections, with youth voters expected to play a decisive role.

Youth voters factor

Saboti Member of Parliament (MP) Caleb Amisi on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, welcomed the surge in new voter registrations recorded during the month-long Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise that will be closed on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, terming it a potential game-changer in Kenya’s political landscape.

Taking to his official X account on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, Amisi claimed that close to 1.89 million new voters had already been captured, expressing optimism that the number could rise significantly in the coming months.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) lawmaker, who is now allied to the rebel Linda Mwananchi faction, argued that by December 2026, the number of new voters might have risen to four million.

According to him, the numbers will disturb what he terms the stubborn status quo.

“We are at 1.89 million new voters. I estimate that by December this year, there will be four million new voters registered. This is what is going to disturb the stubborn status quo,” he wrote on X.