Why Gen Zs Saying They are Leaderless and Partyless is Dangerous - Kiraitu Murungi

Former Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi has expressed support for the growing political activism among Kenyan youth but warned against their rejection of leadership structures and political parties. 

Speaking on Wednesday, March 5, Murungi acknowledged their efforts in pushing for change but raised concerns over their self-proclaimed leaderless and partyless nature. 

He argued that such a stance could lead to instability in the political landscape.

"The youth are doing the right thing, the only thing I kind of disagree with is when they say they are leaderless and partyless; that's very dangerous because they could promote a kind of anarchy which can lead to some negative political change," he said.

His remarks come amid a surge in youth-led political discourse, largely fueled by frustrations over governance, corruption and economic hardships. 

Many young people have increasingly distanced themselves from mainstream political parties, instead advocating for independent activism and grassroots mobilization.

Notably, in July 2024, a survey by Trends and Insights For Africa (TIFA) revealed that 81 percent of Kenyans supported the Gen Z protests.

In the report released on Thursday, July 18, 83 percent of Kenyans aged between 18 and 24 years support the protests while 80 percent of Kenyans above the age of 35 support the movement.

The Tifa poll showed that Nairobi has the largest number of people supporting the protests (90 percent) followed by Nyanza and Central with 89 percent and 88 percent respectively.

North Eastern has 83 percent, Eastern 81 percent, and the Coast region 80 percent. In Western and Rift Valley regions only 79 and 73 percent of people support the movement.

“This young generation, feeling leaderless and without party affiliation, has taken it upon themselves to demand change. Their leaderless and partyless stance underscores a deep disillusionment with traditional political structures, seeking to carve out a new path that truly represents their interests and aspirations.

“These protests reflect their frustration and discontent, highlighting the urgent need for meaningful reforms and responsive governance to address the underlying issues and restore public confidence,” Tifa stated.