Renowned pilot and governance analyst Iain Njiraini has urged the Gen Z movement to rethink its partyless and leaderless stance. Iain Njiraini notes that the Gen Z movement needs credible leaders to drive meaningful change. He cautioned that without structured leadership, the group that led the charge against the government during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests could struggle to sustain its momentum and drive lasting change. Speaking on a social media post, Njiraini noted that while Gen Z has demonstrated its influence through mass mobilisation and online activism, failing to rally behind credible leaders leaves the movement vulnerable to infiltration, disorganisation, and ultimately, failure.
“There’s no war that you can win without leaders, who bring strategy,” Njiraini asserted, emphasising that every successful movement in history has been driven by strong, organized leadership. Do Gen Zs have leaders? According to the pilot, Gen Z already has de facto leaders, whether they acknowledge them or not. The individuals organising protests, crafting digital campaigns, leading X (formerly Twitter) discussions, and mobilising grassroots support are already playing leadership roles. However, without formal recognition and structured backing, their influence remains fragmented. “Identify leaders in every level of governance—leaders who we believe in—and rally behind them, support them,” he advised. Njiraini also pointed out that political formations are actively seeking to co-opt Gen Z’s influence, with some entities even looking to buy their support.
This, he warned, will only succeed if the movement remains disorganised. He explained that established political players understand the power of Gen Z, and without a unified leadership structure, the movement risks being manipulated or sidelined. “Others are happy. Because a leaderless movement is a losing strategy,” Njiraini stated, urging Gen Z to step out of the “leaderless” mentality and take charge of their political future. With the 2027 General Election approaching, Njiraini underscored the need for Gen Z to mobilise voter registration and ensure their voices translate into electoral power. He called for structured leadership to guide young voters in selecting credible candidates who genuinely represent their aspirations. “Come out of the closed doors. Step out and support the people we believe in,” he urged.
by Harry Ivan Mboto
