NAIROBI, Kenya — Comedian and activist Eric Omondi has announced plans to vie for political office in the 2027 General Election, positioning himself as a generational candidate seeking to channel youth anger and aspirations into formal political power.
Speaking on Friday, the 43-year-old said his decision was driven by the need for young people to move beyond protest and activism into leadership and decision-making through the ballot.
“I’m running for office in 2027 as a young person. Young people must register and vote because our participation is the key to changing Kenya’s future,” Omondi said. “President Ruto will be the last of his generation — the Kenyattas, Mois and Kibakis.”
Although he did not disclose the specific seat he intends to contest, Omondi framed his bid as part of a broader youth-led political transition, arguing that Kenya is approaching an unavoidable generational shift in leadership.
He went further to outline radical proposals he says young leaders would push after the 2027 polls, including major constitutional changes without a referendum.
Among them is a proposal to reduce the number of counties from 47 to eight, and to abolish the positions of Women Representatives and the Senate.
“In the 2027 elections, we plan to push to reduce the number of counties from 47 to eight, do away with the positions of Women Representatives and Senate, and we do not want a referendum,” he said.
Omondi’s remarks also contained more confrontational language, suggesting that youth leadership would emerge “by force if necessary,” comments likely to attract scrutiny in a country whose Constitution anchors political change on peaceful and democratic processes.
The Constitution of Kenya, 2010, entrenches devolved government through 47 counties and establishes the Senate and Women Representatives as key pillars of representation and checks on national power.
Any restructuring of this framework would ordinarily require a constitutional amendment process, including parliamentary approval and, in some cases, a national referendum.
Omondi, however, argued that Kenya’s political class continues to underestimate young people, despite recent civic actions that have disrupted Parliament and national politics.
“Leaders need to stop underestimating young people like they did in 2024. They were surprised when young people entered Parliament. Yet today they are pushing another narrative that young people are lazy, irresponsible, non-voters and drunkards,” he said.
His declaration comes against the backdrop of growing youth disillusionment with traditional political parties, rising unemployment, and persistent economic pressures that have fuelled protests and online mobilisation, particularly among urban youth.
