Mark Ouko, coordinator at the National Students Council of Kenya, was on the receiving end of criticism following his remarks that former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i is the youth’s candidate in the 2027 elections.
Speaking on Citizen TV’s JKLive, Ouko weighed Matiang’i’s chances, citing that the former CS erred when he retreated to his home base to solidify his support.
Ouko claimed that such actions did not excite the youth Matiangi’s candidature as they did a year ago.
“If you look at one of the prospective candidates that the youth are supporting in Matiang’i, he’s made one mistake; Matiang’i’s candidature, the euphoria as to whether Matiang’i could be President in 2027 was built as a byproduct from the Gen Z thing,” he stated.
“The mistake that he made is that he bipedaled to the historical patterns; he went back to solidify his tribal base. I don’t think the Gen Zs are as excited about Matiang’i’s candidacy like a year ago.”
His remarks, however, stirred up the panellists, who disputed the claims and rejected the idea of Matiang’i as the youth’s preferred candidate.
“I’m wondering where all this is coming from. We’ve never been aligned with Matiang’i, not now or a year ago,” Wanjira Wanjiru, social justice activist, stated.
“We don’t believe that change will come from people who have been in politics. They’ve had positions to bring change, but we’re here as a country.”
Mohamed Abdullahi, a law student, also echoed Wanjira’s sentiments, arguing that Matiang’i personified the Jubilee regime that formed part of the ills that plague the country.
“Matiang’i has never been a candidate for any young person. I am shocked. We know Matiang’i as the strong arm for the Jubilee regime, the one who put the country in extreme debt. Anyone who thinks Matiang’i is a saviour, lost in my eyes.”
On May 2, 2025, Matiang’i embarked on his inaugural tour at his Gusii backyard, where he pledged to restore public trust in government if elected as president.
“I pledge to streamline and clean up this country, and restore the faith of people in government so they can trust it again; that a government official can tell you something and you will trust them,” he stated.
