Generation Z’s growing influence in Kenyan politics could vanish just as fast as it emerged if the youth fail to organise and build lasting platforms, warns Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai.

He says their moment is fleeting and politicians are already looking to hijack their cause.

Speaking during an interview on Radio Generation Kenya on Tuesday morning, the ODM ward representative said that while Gen Z youth have demonstrated power through historic protests, their momentum will be wasted unless they take control of their future.

“Gen Z has an expiry date. Some of you are expiring in one year, some in five years, some in ten years,” Alai said.

“You still claim to be Gen Z, but influence the next election. Can you see the moment? If you don’t seize the moment, politicians will use you,” he noted.

Alai said youth must stop relying solely on online mobilisation or emotional reactions to events and instead form structured platforms that can participate in elections, shape policy and speak at national forums.

His remarks come barely a week after the deadly Saba Saba Day protests on July 7, where young people across the country led massive demonstrations against poor governance, excessive taxation and police brutality.

According to the latest Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), 38 people died, 130 were injured, and hundreds were arrested during the protests. Most of the victims were under the age of 25, and many were reportedly killed by live bullets fired by police.

The fatalities included two children and four women.

“Even today, when they are talking of Gen Zs, you know, they say that they are leaderless, but they can’t. They’re being led. And they’re being led unwillingly or willingly,” Alai said.

The Nairobi leader further claimed that behind the Gen Z uprising are political actors who have seen an opportunity to exploit youthful frustration for their own gains.

“This movement of Gen Zs was a result of some conversations which politicians were having, and they saw opportunity to score, these young people to the forefront,” he said.

Going further, Alai also pointed out that some of the events held under the name of Gen Z are no longer run by youth.

“It was a tragedy I saw last year… they organised a music concert, then none of the people on that platform was below 40 years. Tell me who from the generation of Gen Z was performing there, or was part of the organisations,” he said.

Alai said youth must realise that every generation gets a brief chance to shape the country’s future — and that chance doesn’t last forever.

His remarks follow a historic wave of youth-led protests that erupted in mid-2024, initially against the Finance Bill, but quickly expanded into a broader movement against state excesses, corruption and unresponsive leadership.

On June 25, protesters stormed Parliament, prompting a political reckoning.

While Gen Z continues to claim the space of a leaderless and partyless generation, Alai has urged them to transition from spontaneous action to structured political influence.