Homa Bay Governor and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) national chairperson Gladys Wanga has accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of exploiting the Gen Z-led protests to advance his own political ambitions.
Speaking during a bursary issuance event at Asumbi National School in Rangwe constituency, where she presided over the distribution of Ksh.50 million from the Rangwe NG-CDF, Wanga claimed that Gachagua had hijacked the recent youth-led demonstrations in Nairobi and other regions to destabilize President William Ruto’s administration. According to her, the protests were not spontaneous but rather “well-planned and executed” by elements within the opposition aligned with Gachagua.
“Rigathi Gachagua is using the Gen Z movement as a cover to pursue his political goal of seizing power through the backdoor. He is not genuinely supporting the youth but is instead hiding behind them to incite unrest and create the illusion of a failed state,” Wanga stated.
She warned that attempts to undermine the presidency under the guise of constitutional activism would not be tolerated, reiterating that the ODM party stands firmly behind a broad-based government aimed at delivering development and stability.
“Let Gachagua wait for 2027 like everyone else. Power is acquired through the ballot, not through chaos and anarchy,” she added.
Her sentiments were echoed by Rangwe Member of Parliament Dr. Lilian Gogo, who condemned leaders allegedly sponsoring unrest for political mileage. Dr. Gogo urged opposition politicians to respect the rule of law and engage Gen Z constructively rather than manipulating their frustrations for selfish gains.
The remarks come amid rising political temperatures, as Gen Z continues to push for reforms across various sectors, including governance, taxation, and accountability. While the youth-led protests have drawn widespread attention for their organic nature and nonpartisan roots, politicians from across the divide have increasingly sought to align themselves with the movement.
Governor Wanga’s comments signal deepening political rifts as Kenya inches closer to the 2027 general election, with questions emerging about who truly represents the voice of the youth and what role political leaders are playing behind the scenes.
