Young lawmakers push for a third political force ahead of 2027 -The Standard

A cohort of youthful lawmakers in Kenya is signalling a bold break from the country’s two-front political duopoly, positioning themselves as the nucleus of what they call a third force ahead of the 2027 general election. Among these are Babu Owino (Embakasi East MP), Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi Senator), Gathoni Wamuchomba (Githunguri MP), and Caleb Amisi (Saboti MP). They publicly declared their disillusionment with traditional party-loyalty politics and say they represent a generational demand for leadership rooted in policy, accountability, and youth inclusion.
These young legislators argue that Kenya’s established political formations—primarily the ruling coalition led by William Ruto and the main opposition grouping under Raila Odinga—have lost resonance with the youth, who are chafing under recycled leadership models and ethnic-based bargaining. They are embracing platforms such as their Kenya Moja Movement (as media reports call it), to galvanise support across party lines, emphasise fiscal transparency (including critiques of the government’s borrowing practices) and contest the notion that the next election will simply be a repeat of the past.
However, analysts caution that translating a youth-led movement into a viable political force faces steep challenges. Existing parties in Kenya are deeply entrenched, campaign‐ready and resource heavy; breaking away or forming a new party requires both financial muscle and organisational networks. As one political analyst noted, Rebels must be prepared to either rock the boat from within or form their own outfits… organising successful party coups in Kenya is almost impossible.
Looking ahead, the emergence of this youthful grouping could reshape Kenya’s 2027 election dynamics—but much remains to unfold. Will they cement their own party infrastructure or align with or take over existing parties? Will they appeal beyond their own cohort and geographies to build a broad-based national coalition? Observers say that whether this third force becomes a transformative movement or remains a rhetorical device will depend on the clarity of its agenda, its ability to mobilise voters, and its resilience against the old-guard power structures.