In a striking move that is set to reshape Kenya’s political landscape, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has promised to appoint members of Generation Zoomers (Gen Z) to lead his shadow cabinet, moments after declaring himself the country’s de facto opposition leader.
At a town hall meeting held on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at Ufungamano House in Nairobi, Kalonzo gathered with youth and other stakeholders to discuss a wide range of pressing issues, including the defence of the constitution and education.
The gathering also included prominent figures from the Azimio coalition, such as Eugene Wamalwa, the DAP-K party leader, and Jeremiah Kioni, Jubilee Secretary General, among others.
During the meeting, Kalonzo announced his intention to form a shadow cabinet to hold the government accountable.
In a bold departure from tradition, he stated that Gen Z would take the lead in this shadow cabinet revolution.
“When I said that we would be making announcements, the first major announcement we are going to make from Ufungamano is we are going to form a shadow cabinet. And Gen Z na Gen zote mutashirikiswa,” Kalonzo declared, mixing English with Swahili to emphasize his point that all generations would be included.
He continued, “When I said we fight these péople from every corner, from every ministry, every principal secretary, whatever they will be held accountable and we work with the Gen Z and all the generations.”
Raila’s exit
Kalonzo’s declaration of himself as the opposition chief follows Raila Odinga’s decision to step back from active politics in Kenya.
The Azimio leader has shifted his focus to a new challenge: running for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship, leaving a vacuum in Kenya’s opposition leadership.
Raila, a towering figure in Kenyan politics, recently confirmed that if elected to the AUC chair next year, his involvement in Kenyan politics would diminish significantly.
“You know that I will begin working for the continent once I am elected in February next year. At the moment, I am involved in the campaigns, but that does not mean that Kenya will cease to exist,” Raila remarked on August 21, 2024, during a meeting with Prime Cabinet Minister Musalia Mudavadi at the Railways office in Nairobi.
“I will not be very active in Kenyan politics henceforth as I shift my attention to the continental campaigns. It is a transitional phase from active participation in Kenyan politics to a focus on African continental politics,” he added.
President William Ruto held a high-profile event at State House, Nairobi, on August 27, 2024, which marked the launch of Raila’s bid for the AUC chairmanship.
As Raila steps onto a broader political stage, Kalonzo Musyoka’s move to elevate younger voices within the opposition may mark the beginning of a new chapter in Kenya’s political saga—one in which the energy and vision of Gen Z play a central role.