The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has intensified efforts to win over Kenya’s Gen Z voters with the relaunch of its Young Captains chapter, a youth-driven wing under the ODM Women League. The move is part of a broader strategy by the opposition party to tap into the powerful youth demographic ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during the relaunch event held in Nairobi on Saturday, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna emphasized the crucial role Gen Z will play in shaping Kenya’s future leadership. “Gen Z is eager to register as voters so that their voice can be heard, loud and clear,” he said, encouraging young people to seek leadership positions and vote in large numbers.
Young Captains was initially launched in 2021 and targets young women in institutions of higher learning. ODM Women’s League President Senator Beth Syengo highlighted the group’s strategic importance, saying it would help ODM reach grassroots communities and counter the perception that Gen Z is “leaderless and partyless.”
With political parties jostling for youth support, ODM’s move reflects a growing recognition of Gen Z’s electoral power. By 2027, the 18–34 age group is projected to comprise over 17.8 million voters around 40–45% of the electorate. Gen Z alone will form a majority of that bloc, with over 14 million eligible voters.
Sifuna, recalling his own political awakening in 2002, urged young people to be bold and politically active. “Our country is in a crisis. History will judge us if we remain silent,” he stated.
The battle for the Gen Z vote is intensifying. Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka recently aligned himself with youth-led protests, while President William Ruto is ramping up youth-focused initiatives, including job creation under the affordable housing and Climate WorX programs.
Analysts say Gen Z’s growing political consciousness rooted in economic frustration and social justice concerns—could redefine Kenya’s political landscape, moving it away from ethnic-based loyalties and towards issue-based campaigns.
With voter registration drives expected to ramp up, the coming months will be pivotal in determining which political forces succeed in capturing this influential generation.
