- Kalonzo warned those imagining that the Gen Z story was over were deceiving themselves.
- He addressed the public in Machakos County on Friday during a summit on women's leadership organized by G7, a Caucus of women governors.
Image: HANDOUT
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has maintained that he will stand with Gen Zs even if he is left alone.
Kalonzo warned those imagining that the Gen Z story was over were deceiving themselves.
“If one thinks the Gen Z story is over, they are deceiving themselves. This country will never be the same in terms of governance,” Kalonzo said.
He addressed the public in Machakos County on Friday during a summit on women's leadership organized by G7, a Caucus of women governors.
The Wiper leader used the occasion to emphasize the need to support female leadership.
“It will be never, never be the same. President Paul Kagame has done well in Rwanda, 50 – 50. I give you my pledge as party leader of the Wiper Democratic Movement, a member party of Azimio Coalition. Our principle position is 50 – 50 gender parity,” Kalonzo said.
“We have made it clear in our manifesto. God willing, people of Machakos, people of Kenya, your Excellency Lady governors, please take note, your country has changed and I don’t want to elaborate longer.”
Going forward, Kalonzo said people will accept nothing, but transparency and inclusivity.
“Even if I’m left standing alone, I will stand with the people of Kenya and I will stand with Gen Zs. Times have changed and so, this is it. Look at me, I’m speaking from Machakos where Kenya’s capital was in 1902 before it was moved to Nairobi, but it started in Voi in 1897,” he said.
The former Vice President said he had done his part concerning the two-thirds gender rule.
“One of which is an amendment to the Elections Act 2011. I have finished my work and with that amendment, all political parties will be required to address the two–third gender rule when conducting their party nominations,” Kalonzo said.
He said there is a need to expeditiously enact the Elections Act 2011.
Kalonzo said the window provided to enact the Act was short hence the need for legislators at the National Assembly to take advantage of it before it elapses.
“Ladies in Kenya don’t need to be sycophantic about who they are. The examples have been set in Nakuru and here in Machakos counties. If you have the right quality leadership, you will make it,” he said.
“You don’t even need to push for group 24 in 2027 polls, they can easily win the elections if the current group, the seven governors show leadership qualities that will promote women leadership in our country. They can even go to 30 governors, I see no problem.”
He added:
“But, if the current female governors do not embrace what you have unveiled here today, complete with an advisory council led by Mama Ida, then you may be a discouragement to others. So, this is why I started by congratulating Governor Wavinya for what you have showcased in Machakos.”
Kalonzo said Ndeti had done well in matters of development and governance.
“The time has changed and now the next leadership isn’t going to be determined by the amount of money one uses to bribe Kenyans to vote for you. The natural leadership is going to come from grassroots,” Kalonzo said.