Former State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita has called on Gen Z to take the initiative in selecting leaders from within their own ranks. In a statement on Wednesday, he emphasized the importance of identifying individuals who can guide them toward the change they seek.
“Common sense must prevail. It’s time for the leaderless to look within and find capable men and women ready to step up and drive the change they wish to see within our constitutional framework,” Waita stated.
He cautioned against opportunists who might attempt to exploit the movement for personal gain. “While some individuals may thrive in a collapsing government, there are others who would prefer to see chaos before acknowledging that the country has reached a critical juncture,” he warned.
Waita urged Kenyan youth not to allow either group to dominate their quest for change. “I find that many shy away from sharing difficult truths because it’s unpopular to hold a contrarian view. Thankfully, I’ve learned not to prioritize popularity,” he said.
“Gen Z, be aware that there are opportunists on both sides of this situation. Some will benefit from the chaos of a government collapse, while others would rather see turmoil before accepting that Kenya is at an inflection point. We must not let either side prevail.”
His remarks come as Gen Z prepares for another wave of protests on Thursday, marking a month since the bi-weekly demonstrations began. The most recent protests occurred on Tuesday, resulting in one reported death and numerous injuries during confrontations with police. On Wednesday night, police issued a warning against protests in the Nairobi CBD.