Maina Kageni lauds youth as ‘Niko Kadi’ wave gains traction
By Charles Ouma, March 23, 2026Renowned media personality Maina Kageni has praised young people in Kenya for staking their claim in defining Kenya’s future as the country inches closer to the 2027 elections.
Giving his take on the Niko Kadi initiative that has taken the country by storm, Kageni noted that Kenya’s youth are inspiring and focused and are claiming their spot in the country’s political discourse in unprecedented ways.
In the statement posted on his X account on Monday, the media personality hailed the initiative as an outstanding movement that is promising to redefine the political landscape in the country.
Maina Kageni: Niko Kadi!
Kageni confirmed that he, too, has registered as a voter, ready for the task ahead when Kenya goes to the ballot in 2027.
He urged young people not to allow the political elite to hijack Niko Kadi, as has been the case with past initiatives, where politicians sneaked their way in with notable personalities taking political sides.
“Young people in Kenya are resilient and inspiring. This truly is your country! “Niko Kadi” is yet another awesome and outstanding movement …please, don’t allow the politicians to hijack this one,” Kageni stated.
The youth-led initiative has gained traction online and offline across the country, with local chapters coming up as the youth prepare to make their voices and numbers determine the outcome of elections in 2027.
Politicians have also attempted to ride on the wave, going a step further to attempt to lure those behind the movement with mouth-watering deals.
Ademba approached
Journalist Allans Ademba, who is behind the initiative, confirmed that political players keen on hijacking the initiative have been approaching him, with the latest call coming in on Sunday, March 22 night, just before he was interviewed by a local TV station.
“I have received a phone call while in your waiting lobby… The call was, ‘Ademba, we are going to give you a lorry; we have branded them with #TukoKadi.’ Those were the calls. Sad to say, they even said they have branded me with my face, my friend; don’t try that.
“They have approached us. I have been receiving phone calls. If a lorry appears on Tuesday at our rallies in Kibra, Lang’ata, the five Embakasi constituencies, or at Anniversary Towers, we are going to chase those lorries away,” Ademba stated.
A number of politicians, including President William Ruto, Rigathi Gachagua and Kalonzo Musyoka, attempted to ride on the wave, with organisers of Tuko Kadi swiftly rebuking them.