Political activist Morara Kebaso has advised young Kenyans to reconsider joining mainstream political parties, arguing that most established outfits do not offer genuine opportunities for youth leadership.
He made the remarks in a statement shared on X, urging young people to instead form their own value-driven political movements.
Kebaso said many young aspirants enter political parties expecting to rise through the ranks or secure nomination tickets, only to discover that key decisions are controlled by individuals with financial power.
According to him, youth involvement in major parties is often limited to mobilization roles.
In his statement, Kebaso described established parties as structures heavily influenced by money and linked to corruption.
He claimed that those who finance party activities hold the highest influence, shaping internal decisions including leadership elevation and campaign strategy.
Kebaso argued that this environment makes it difficult for young members to advance or promote integrity within party structures.
He urged the youth to create their own political platforms where contributions of any size are valued and where decisions reflect shared principles rather than financial clout.
He suggested that such parties should be built around values instead of tribal or regional dynamics.
The activist warned that young people who join what he called “kawaida parties” should expect to be assigned roles such as running online propaganda or disrupting meetings, rather than being offered leadership opportunities.
He said that mainstream parties rarely view youth as leaders, despite their demographic strength.
Kebaso’s remarks come at a time when several political parties are preparing for internal reorganizations and grassroots elections ahead of the next electoral cycle.
His comments add to ongoing discussions on youth participation in politics and the need for broader reforms in party governance.