They Have No Ideas, Can’t Bring Change,” Prof Manyora Blames Opposition For Gen Z’s Low Voter Registration Turnout

Political analyst Prof Herman Manyora has blamed the opposition for the low voter registration turnout, accusing its leaders of lacking fresh ideas to inspire young people to participate in elections.

Speaking on his YouTube channel on Tuesday, Manyora said the opposition has failed to connect with Gen Zs who have been demanding change and accountability but now see no hope in the country’s political class.

He argued that if the opposition had presented a credible vision for change, young people would have flooded voter registration centres in large numbers.

“I blame the opposition more than I blame the government. Why the opposition? What are they doing about involving young people? What have they done? Is there anything they are doing? They can’t bring any change. None of these political leaders seeking to remove Ruto, even if they go to State House now, will change anything,” he said.

Manyora said that if opposition parties had new and practical ideas for transforming the country, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) would be overwhelmed with new voter registrations.

He described the opposition as “bankrupt of ideas” and unable to provide meaningful leadership that excites the youth.

“If they had new ideas, there would be such long queues that the IEBC would rush to Parliament for emergency funds to handle the overwhelming registration numbers. But they didn’t, even though continuous voter registration is something they should have been doing all along,” he added.

Manyora said Gen Zs are not registering as voters because they no longer believe in Kenya’s political system.

The United Opposition top leadership have hinted at coming with a name for their political outfit that comprises different parties. PHOTO@skmusyoka/ X.com

He noted that the young people who led the 2024 anti-finance bill protests have since grown disillusioned by both the government and the opposition, seeing no real difference between them.

“The main reason Gen Zs are not registering is that things do not make sense to them anymore. There is no better political alternative. They are tired of the same old, recycled politicians who bring little or no change,” he said.

The ongoing national mass voter registration exercise has recorded a low turnout across most counties.

In the first week, Trans Nzoia registered only 71 new voters, with just four from Kwanza Constituency. The IEBC had targeted 6.3 million new voters but now faces a slow start amid public apathy and lack of enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, opposition leaders under the United Opposition banner are still in talks to formalize their coalition ahead of the 2027 General Election. The alliance brings together leaders such as Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua and Eugene Wamalwa.

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, who is positioning himself for a 2027 presidential run, said his Jubilee Party will help the IEBC mobilize young voters.

Speaking in Nakuru over the weekend, Matiang’i said his team would engage youth groups and universities to encourage voter registration.

Manyora warned that unless the opposition changes its approach and genuinely involves the youth in political processes, young Kenyans will continue to lose faith in elections.

“The young people will do things their own way,” he said. “If the opposition doesn’t wake up, Gen Zs might completely abandon the ballot and look for new ways to express their power.”