Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s recent call for Kenyan youth to abandon street protests and instead register as voters ahead of the 2027 General Election has stirred a wave of online backlash, with critics accusing him of opportunism and foreign manipulation.

Speaking on July 8 before departing for a two-month visit to the United States, Gachagua addressed the Gen Z-led protest movement, urging them to “shift strategy” by acquiring national IDs and preparing to “deal with President William Ruto at the ballot.” He warned of the dangers of demonstrations, claiming the government had responded with lethal force.

“I fear for them. Anytime they go out to the streets, they are killed like chicken,” Gachagua said, accusing Ruto of deploying “state militias” to silence dissent.

While Gachagua’s remarks seemed to position him as a sympathizer of the movement, many young activists rejected his outreach. Critics interpreted the comments as an attempt to hijack a cause he neither initiated nor fully understands.

Among the most vocal was activist and content creator Mumbi Seraki, who alleged that Gachagua’s message was influenced by unnamed international actors behind his U.S. trip.

“He was summoned by the puppet masters,” Seraki claimed in a viral video. “This wasn’t about the diaspora. It was about being read the riot act. Now they want to use him to contain the movement.”

She further alleged that foreign interests are attempting to co-opt the Gen Z movement by backing politically favorable figures, warning that any sudden peace overtures or foreign visits by Kenyan leaders should be viewed with suspicion.

“This isn’t just about taxes or politics — it’s spiritual,” Seraki added, emphasizing that the leader of the Gen Z movement “has already been chosen by the Most High and the ancestors.”

Gachagua, who has been rebuilding his political profile following his fallout with the Ruto administration, is now viewed by some as attempting to rebrand himself as a champion of youth resistance. However, his overtures appear to be falling flat among a generation that has consistently expressed deep mistrust in Kenya’s traditional political elite — regardless of party affiliation.

What started as a protest against the Finance Bill in June 2024 has evolved into a broader movement of civic awakening, fueled by calls for accountability, justice, and structural reform.

As Gachagua and others seek relevance amid this powerful youth-led shift, one thing is clear: the Gen Z movement is watching closely — and not everyone is welcome at the table.