Octopizzo urges Gen Z to register as voters after Nepal rapper Balendra Shah’s election victory
By Valerian Khakayi, March 8, 2026Renowned hip-hop artiste and entrepreneur Henry Ohanga, widely known as Octopizzo, has urged Kenyan Gen Z to register as voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Inspired by the recently concluded elections in Nepal, where rapper-turned-politician Balen Shah emerged victorious, Octopizzo shared a statement on his official X account on Sunday, March 8, 2026, highlighting the power of civic participation.
He added that the Gen Z revolution movement may have begun in Kenya, but its spirit is now echoing far beyond our borders.
Octopizzo further noted that citizens in Nepal are channelling that same energy into real change and demonstrating how active participation can shape democratic outcomes in real time.
“Chukueni Kura Bana Jo! The movement may have begun in Kenya, but its spirit is now echoing far beyond our borders,” Octopizzo stated.
“Today, we are witnessing its impact in Nepal, where citizens are turning that same energy into real change in real time.”
Additionally, the rapper added that change happens when people get involved, organise, and cast their votes; democracy thrives when citizens take action.
“This is the power of people when they choose to participate, organise, and vote. Democracy moves when citizens move,” he added, urging Gen Z to embrace their civic responsibility and ensure their voices are heard in upcoming elections.
According to Octopizzo, young people have a unique role to play in shaping the future of governance. By registering to vote and engaging in the democratic process, they can influence decisions that affect their communities and nations.
Balen Shah’s victory
According to the report by the BBC, Shah defeated the former Nepalese Prime Minister Sharma KP Oli, in his parliamentary constituency, as he takes a step closer to becoming Nepal’s next prime minister.
Nepal’s Election Commission confirmed on Saturday that Shah, 35, received 68,348 votes compared to Oli’s 18,734 to unseat the former leader in his constituency.
Thursday’s general election – the first since violent youth-led protests toppled the government in September – pitted the establishment against a new generation of politicians advocating for angry, young Gen Z voters hungry for change.
Shah’s RSP party is now seemingly on course to win the general election.
Ahead of this election, it looked set to test whether Gen Z voters had succeeded in convincing the rest of the country that it is time for a new, untested generation to shape their future, or whether veteran heavyweights – who have dominated for decades – would keep hold of power.
The country’s youth included 800,000 first-time voters, making them a key voter bloc.