Kirinyaga Woman Representative Jane Njeri Maina has launched a sharp political attack on the older political class, urging youths across the country to seize power by registering as voters and turning out in large numbers to vote, warning that slogans alone will not change Kenya’s leadership.

Speaking on Friday, January 16, 2026, in Kutus during an engagement with more than 2,000 youths drawn from across Kirinyaga County, where she added over 10 million cheques to youth groups, Njeri, a close ally of former President Rigathi Gachagua, said the much-touted ‘one term’ slogan would remain empty rhetoric unless young people actively participated in the electoral process.

“One-term slogans cannot be achieved on social media. They are achieved at the ballot. If you don’t register, if you don’t vote, then you surrender your future willingly,” Njeri said.

Intimidation by older politicians

She challenged the youth to reject intimidation by older politicians who rely on financial muscle to control politics, saying demographic power gives young people the upper hand if they choose to use it.

“Do not be scared simply because you don’t have money. You have numbers. Numbers are more powerful than money if you use them wisely on election day,” she said.

Njeri further urged voters to elect leaders who prioritise youth empowerment, insisting that it was time for a generational shift in leadership both in Kirinyaga and nationally.

“We respect the older generation, but the time has come for them to give way. Young people have fresh minds, new ideas and the energy Kenya desperately needs,” she added.

Backing her remarks, Kirinyaga Senator Kamau Murango, also a close ally of former President Gachagua, warned that failure by youths to occupy leadership and decision-making spaces would leave them vulnerable to exploitation.

“If you are not at the decision-making table, you will be on the menu. Young people must be present where decisions are made; otherwise, the politicians will always decide their fate,” Murango said.

The senator revealed plans to roll out similar civic and political awareness forums across the county to prepare young people for leadership and active political participation.

“We will move across Kirinyaga to enlighten young people on why leadership matters and why they must step forward, not just complain from the sidelines,” he added.

Attack on Waiguru

The meeting took a sharper political turn when Baragwi MCA David Mathenge launched a blistering attack on Governor Anne Waiguru and Members of Parliament, accusing them of failing the youth through lack of empowerment and poor accountability.

“The governor has pocketed the entire county assembly. MCAs cannot question anything. That is why development has stalled,” Mathenge claimed.

He questioned the utilisation of funds allocated to Kirinyaga County, saying resources meant for youth empowerment and development were not reaching the intended beneficiaries.

“Where is the money allocated to Kirinyaga? Why can’t we support young people with startup funds? Why are bursary funds, both at the county level and NG-CDF, not reaching needy students?” he posed.

Mathenge insisted that lack of political will, not shortage of funds, was the reason many youths remained unemployed and vulnerable.

“If leaders cared, no child would drop out of school for lack of fees. The money exists, but priorities are wrong,” he said.

He took the opportunity to rally youths to contest political seats and vote out leaders who, he said, had no regard for their welfare.
“Take leadership positions and remove those who don’t care about you. Power belongs to the people, but only if they claim it,” Mathenge said.