Aasai

Mumias East MP Peter Salasya has stirred the political waters once again for the first time  with bold remarks during his much-anticipated homecoming rally in Kakamega town on Saturday, June 7, 2025. The youthful legislator proudly declared that he doesn’t need to spend a single coin to attract supporters to his rallies, attributing the overwhelming crowds to genuine love from the people. He emphasized that public affection cannot be bought, dismissing the trend of using money, branded T-shirts, or flashy vehicles to lure crowds. According to Salasya, his authenticity and connection with the youth are what draw the masses.

Salasya used the rally to launch a spirited critique of Kenya’s traditional leadership structure, hinting at his ambition to seek the presidency in the near political future. Drawing inspiration from Burkina Faso’s 36-year-old President Ibrahim Traoré, he said Kenya is ripe for youthful leadership with fresh ideas. He lamented that in Kenya, presidential contenders are expected to be in their 50s or older, often recycling outdated ideas instead of presenting innovative solutions to the country’s challenges. Salasya positioned himself as a leader who can break that mold and usher in a new era of dynamic leadership.

In a scathing attack, the MP dismissed President William Ruto’s recent apology to the youth, made during the National Prayer Breakfast on May 28, 2025. Salasya questioned the sincerity of the apology, citing the high youth unemployment rate in the country. He pointed out that more than four million young people are jobless and frustrated, and that no apology would be meaningful without concrete efforts to address their plight. “You can’t apologize to Gen Z while they remain jobless and hopeless,” he said, accusing the government of failing to live up to its promises.

President Ruto’s apology came amid rising tensions with the youth, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, who led nationwide protests in 2024. These protests culminated in the storming of Parliament as young Kenyans rejected the Finance Bill 2024, which introduced a wave of controversial taxes. In response, Ruto dissolved his Cabinet and formed a broad-based government for all , including opposition leaders, in a bid to restore public confidence. During the prayer event, he stressed the need for unity, quoting Psalm 133 and calling for harmony across political, religious, and ethnic divides.

Despite Ruto’s calls for peace and unity, critics argue that the government has done little to involve young people in decision-making or offer them real opportunities. With the 2027 general elections drawing closer, Kenya’s youth—who make up over half of the expected voting population—have become a powerful political force. Leaders like Salasya are tapping into this growing dissatisfaction by offering themselves as the voice of a new generation. His message of no handouts, genuine connection, and radical change appears to resonate with young voters who feel neglected and disillusioned by mainstream politics. Whether he runs for president or not, Salasya’s growing popularity signals a shift in the country’s political dynamics and a wake-up call to the traditional political elite.