‘Being young is not a Green Card’ — Allan Ademba on youth leadership in 2027
By Ascah Mwango, March 28, 2026Niko Kadi movement leader Allan Ademba has called on young people eyeing leadership positions to prove they are worth the seats they are seeking ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In a statement shared via his X account on Saturday, March 28, 2026, Ademba weighed in on the growing push for youth leadership, saying that while it is encouraging to see more young people stepping forward, leadership should not be handed out simply because of age.
He noted that anyone seeking public office must demonstrate key qualities, including integrity, competence, a clear agenda, a solid track record, a clean criminal record, and proper education. According to him, these are the real credentials that matter, not just being young and energetic.
Ademba also addressed the narrative that often frames politics as a battle between the old and the young, dismissing it as misplaced. He suggested that leadership should not be reduced to a generational contest, but rather be based on who is actually capable of delivering results.
“2027 kwa ballot in Youths for youths. Lakini, they must prove they are worth the seat. Being young is not a green card. Integrity/competence/agenda/track and criminal record/ education…. Also, know we are not in the old vs the young war,” Allan Ademba stated.
His remarks come at a time when conversations around youth participation in governance continue to gain momentum across the country, especially with the 2027 elections slowly coming into focus.
He recently urged young Kenyans to go beyond just registering as voters and make sure they actually turn up to vote in the 2027 General Election.
Speaking on a local radio station on Wednesday, Ademba said the movement is focusing on civic, voter and political education, not just getting people to register for voter cards.
He said he hopes the movement’s growing support on social media and at the grassroots will turn into 15 million votes in the August 2027 elections.
“Tuko Kadi is not a movement that is going to end at people registering to vote… what we are looking for is 15 million young Kenyans at the ballot going to vote,” Ademba said.