Is Gen Z the Last Hope for Kenya? Rigathi Gachagua and Martha Karua Unite to Slam Ruto

Nairobi, January 25, 2025: Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua launched an attack on President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza government, warning against economic decline, rampant corruption, and repression. In the company was NARC leader Martha Karua  he called for the unity of the leadership and citizenship to get the country back on track.

Gachagua unites with Martha Karua 

The way this country is going, there will be no country, Gachagua warned. The economy is collapsing, public funds are being looted, and corruption is entrenched at every level. Even worse, this government has done something colonialists never dared to do—it has gone after our children.

Gachagua and Karua had been political foils in the last election. Now, their rare act of solidarity was undergirded by a feeling of urgency: 

Many people thought we couldn't work together. But the state of the nation leaves us no choice. Men and women of integrity must rise to save this country, Gachagua declared.

Much of his speech praised the activism of Gen Z, who have used digital platforms to challenge the government. 

To my children, my sons and daughters of Gen Z—you are on the right side of history. You’re fearless, articulate, and using the tools of your generation to bring awareness. What you’re doing on smartphones is commendable, but the real transformation will happen at the ballot box,  he said.

The former Deputy President urged Gen Z to channel their activism into concrete change by enrolling as voters. 

It is your patriotic responsibility to take IDs, register, and vote. That is how you complete the journey of freeing this nation, he stated.

Gachagua painted a grim picture of the Kenyan economy, citing the failure of businesses and desperation. 

Two years ago, goodwill for a Nairobi shop was 20 million shillings. Now, shops are closing down, and owners are desperately trying to sell them for whatever they can. There is no money in circulation, and businesses are suffocating, he lamented. 

The former Deputy President went on to give a message of hope, saying it was still possible for Kenya to head toward prosperity with good leadership. 

This country needs courageous men and women to rise up. We cannot afford fear. If we buy fear, this nation will plunge deeper into chaos, he said.

Gachagua and Karua coming together may indicate something about Kenya's changed political dynamics. Most especially, their call for unity and action to the youths symbolizes the bottom line of an emerging movement to hold the government accountable and force real change.

The rally was both an indictment of the current regime and a clarion call to the citizens to be actively involved in shaping the future of Kenya through unity, activism, and the power of the ballot.