Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has signalled a shift in political messaging, acknowledging growing pressure from young Kenyans demanding tangible economic opportunities amid a worsening cost-of-living crisis.
Speaking at the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Youth Convention — Nairobi City Edition at Jamhuri Grounds, Wanga said the country’s youth are no longer passive participants in politics, but a vigilant and informed bloc that will no longer settle for promises.
“The political ground has shifted. Today’s Kenyan youth are vigilant, informed, and demanding more than rhetoric,” she said, in remarks that reflected rising frustration among young voters over unemployment and economic strain.
The convention comes at a time when the Orange Democratic Movement, led by Raila Odinga, is seeking to consolidate its support base after the 2022 General Election, amid growing competition and internal repositioning within opposition politics.
The party has faced increasing pressure to re-energise its appeal, particularly among young voters who form a significant share of the electorate and are grappling with high joblessness and a rising cost of living.
Wanga said ODM was repositioning itself as a platform linking current struggles with long-term solutions, arguing that the party had taken note of the concerns raised by young people.
“Loyalty must be matched with opportunity,” she told delegates, adding that the party was committed to listening to the youth and responding to their demands.
Also key in the party’s youth mobilisation efforts is Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who also serves as ODM Secretary General. A lawyer by profession, Sifuna has emerged as one of the party’s most vocal figures, shaping its communication strategy and frequently defending its positions on national issues. However, he has been opposing president William Ruto and Wanga.
His growing influence, particularly in urban areas, has positioned him as a key link between the party leadership and younger voters.
Leaders at the convention said ODM’s renewed engagement with the youth goes beyond mobilisation, pointing to what Wanga described as a “genuine partnership” between the party and young Kenyans.
“We have heard you. We assure you: we are in this together until the very end,” she said.
The youth vote is expected to play a decisive role in the next election cycle, with political players stepping up efforts to win over a demographic that has become increasingly vocal, politically aware and impatient with unmet promises.
For many young people in attendance, however, the key test remains whether political declarations will translate into jobs, inclusion in decision-making, and policies that address their daily economic struggles.
