By Ahmed Salat Ali | Political Affairs | AARAN TV KE
Jeremiah Kioni, the Secretary-General of the Jubilee Party, has argued that the now-defunct Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) could have significantly expanded political opportunities for young Kenyans, particularly members of Generation Z seeking leadership roles in national governance.
Speaking during an interview with a local radio station on Thursday, April 2, 2026, Kioni said the current governance structure remains rigid and often unaccommodating to young leaders who aspire to hold substantive political office rather than merely supporting established political figures.
According to Kioni, the constitutional reforms proposed under the BBI framework were designed to broaden the country’s leadership structure and create more pathways for emerging leaders.
“I keep going back to that document called the BBI. It was opening the space. If we had passed it in 2021 or before the 2022 elections, it would have been much easier for a Gen Z person to get into power today,” Kioni said.
He noted that the proposed changes, including the expansion of executive positions, would have allowed younger leaders to negotiate for senior government roles.
“They would have been able to bargain for a proper seat and say we want the Deputy Prime Minister’s position or even the Deputy President’s position,” he added.
Youth Still Treated as Political Foot Soldiers
Kioni further criticised the traditional political class, saying young people are often viewed merely as campaign mobilisers and voters rather than capable leaders.
He argued that the country’s current governance system does little to accommodate youthful leadership.
“The unfortunate thing about our politics and governance structure is that it doesn’t quite open itself up to the youth barging into leadership. Instead, they are often channelled into supporting a cause rather than leading it,” Kioni stated.
His remarks come at a time when youth-led political activism has intensified across the country, with young Kenyans rallying around civic campaigns such as “Niko Kadi” and “Tuko Kadi”, which encourage eligible citizens to register as voters.
IEBC Targets Millions of New Voters
Meanwhile, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has intensified preparations for the 2027 General Election through an ongoing voter registration exercise.
The commission confirmed that Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), which began in September 2025, will be complemented by an Enhanced Mass Voter Registration programme expected to reach the ward level from March 2026.
Electoral officials say the initiative includes system upgrades and pre-registration reforms aimed at reducing congestion at registration centres while improving the overall voter registration experience, particularly for young people and first-time voters.
The voter registration campaign is expected to play a decisive role in shaping the 2027 political landscape. The IEBC estimates that about 6.3 million new voters could be added to the national register ahead of the next general election.
Currently, an estimated 12 million Kenyans possess National identity cards but remain unregistered as voters, making them a crucial battleground for both the government and opposition political camps.
Political analysts note that the emerging youth-driven mobilisation efforts could significantly influence the outcome of the next election as leaders across the political divide intensify efforts to attract first-time voters into their support bases.
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