His remarks, which directly link the stalled constitutional reforms to the growing frustrations of Gen Z, cast renewed scrutiny on the political events that led to the collapse of the initiative.
According to Kioni, the BBI framework was not merely a political compromise between former President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga, but a structural attempt to democratize leadership opportunities.
He contends that the proposed expansion of the executive—through positions such as Prime Minister and deputies—would have created a broader and more inclusive leadership space.
In his view, such an arrangement would have lowered the barriers that have historically locked out young leaders from ascending to national power.
Jeremiah Kioni’s assertion that “it would have been much easier for a Gen Z to get into power” underscores a deeper concern about Kenya’s rigid political architecture.
The current winner-takes-all system, he argues, concentrates power within a narrow elite, making it difficult for emerging voices to gain meaningful influence.
By contrast, BBI’s proposals aimed to dilute this concentration, fostering a more participatory governance model.
However, Jeremiah Kioni squarely blames President William Ruto for mobilizing opposition against the initiative.
During the heated BBI debates, Ruto positioned himself as a defender of ordinary citizens, framing the process as an elite-driven project that ignored pressing economic concerns.
This resistance ultimately contributed to the initiative’s legal and political downfall, culminating in court rulings that declared the process unconstitutional.
The implications of BBI’s failure are now being revisited through the lens of generational politics. Kenya’s Gen Z—digitally connected, politically aware, and increasingly vocal—has shown a growing appetite for leadership and systemic change.
Yet, as Jeremiah Kioni suggests, the absence of structural reforms continues to limit their upward mobility within formal political institutions.
Critically, the debate is no longer just about BBI itself, but about the broader question of inclusivity in governance. Was BBI a missed opportunity to future-proof Kenya’s democracy, or was its rejection a necessary check on constitutional overreach?
Jeremiah Kioni’s remarks revive this unresolved question, framing it within the urgent demands of a new political generation.
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Politics