Saboti MP Caleb Amisi has called on Kenya’s Gen Z to abandon street protests and instead focus on capturing political power by organising, voting, and seeking elective office.

Speaking during a political talk show on a local radio station on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, Amisi cautioned that while street demonstrations can signal public frustration, they often fall short of achieving tangible change, particularly in a system where key institutions remain heavily shaped by party interests and executive influence.

“What I’m requesting is that these Gen Zs avoid going to the streets,” he said.

“They should form or support one political party. They all go in and vie for positions, so that they get to Parliament,” he added

Amisi’s sentiments come just weeks after a wave of youth-led protests erupted across the country, demanding better governance and transparency in state affairs. But according to the second-term legislator, unless the youth translate their energy into structured political participation, they risk repeating a cycle of frustration and repression.

Real power, Amisi argued, is not in trending hashtags or viral placards but in numbers, in Parliament.

“What if Ruto wins again?” he asked. “Will these youths go back to the streets again and start being killed?

Dangerous outcomes

He cautioned that youth-led street protests may not only be less effective but could also lead to more dangerous outcomes. He explained that the situation could escalate, especially if the current leadership feels untouchable.

“It will be even more lethal because he will have nothing to lose. He is serving his second term, or maybe he extends the way they say they will change the constitution,” he added

Amisi pointed out that the current Parliament cannot check the executive because it is packed with lawmakers who owe their positions directly to the ruling party.

“This Parliament cannot impeach any rogue president because they were elected in his party,” he said. “Some of them were picked from somewhere and given tickets, and because of a wave, they got into leadership.”

He called on young people to learn from this reality and mobilise with purpose. “The youth should mobilise each other the way they are mobilising on the streets,” he urged. “Let them identify one person for a seat at a time.”

Amisi’s comments add to the growing national conversation on youth activism and political responsibility, as Gen Z continues to redefine protest culture, both online and offline. But in his view, the future isn’t on the streets. It’s on the ballot.