'Keep Off!' Kenyan Gen Z firmly warn politicians to stay away from #TukoKadi movement

#TukoKadi's sweeping success, which started off as an idle idea before ballooning into a nationwide conversation, radically changed the country's political trajectory, with focus once again shifting to the Gen Z's unorthodox political strategies.

Ademba's Kasarani civic drive was lauded by thousands online, with prominent figures, political candidates, seasoned activists and political experts commending the fast-rising mobilizer for his masterful people skills.

After realising that the conversation was swiftly tilting towards the Gen Z, yet again, Kenyan politicians sought to enjoin themselves with the movement, many openly expressing their admiration of the #Tukokadi movement and others even explicitly adopting the slogan, using it in their messaging and even creating their own posters and Gen Z-friendly communication.

From Gachagua to Matiang'i, Kalonzo to Havi, politician after politician crawled from the woodwork with their special #Tukokadi declaration - an obvious attempt to tap into the movement's viral appeal, and to appeal to younger voters. 

Unfortunately, the Gen Z have been very straightforward in their message: Stop joining our brigade, we are not interested in your participation!

Every politicians' attempt to attach their name and ideology to the #TukoKadi movement has been soundly and firmly rejected by the Gen Z, with many telling off the politicians, rejecting their alliance and reminding them that they were the reason the movement was formed in the first place.

Almost every one of the social media posts from established politicians, announcing their allegiance to the Ademba-led campaign, have been met with a ruthless rejection and a stern warning: Keep Off!

"Toka hapa! Uko kadi na nani? You old politicians are the reason we started this movement in the first place! You're the reason we are registering as voters, so that we vote all of you out! Don't pretend to care about us now. Find your own slogans!" Benjamin Nzioka told off Rigathi Gachagua.

Someone else said: "Politicians rotten to the core jumping on #TukoKadi movement is so annoying. Tuko Kadi does not need any help from any politician. Form your own political discourse!"

On his part, Onyiego Andrew said: "I see the government joining our #NikoKadi #TukoKadi movement so shamelessly. We do not want to be associated with you. Tafteni yenu. Tumia ata #TukoWantam or whatever. But stealing ours is unacceptable. Just keep off. Be respectful. Wajinga Nyinyi!"

Yet another displeased Gen Z wrote: "Politicians are a shameless bunch. No creativity at all, so used to mediocrity and looting. IEBC began voter registration mid 2025. All along they never thought about rallying Kenyans to register and now they have hijacked Genz movement. Shameless humans!"

#TukoKadi has also become such a formidable political talking point that the government itself has started flirting with the slogan, with the Government Spokesperson, and even President Ruto himself, broaching the topic and appearing to embrace the viral movement.

A few days after Ademba's Kasarani exploits, the government spokesperson's X account tweeted: "Ma Youth, je, Mko Kadi?"

Even the president jumped onto the caravan, saying to a crowd at a public event: "Nataka niwaambie tuko tayari na tuko Kadi. Kama mnataka hiyo, tuko Kadi tayari. We are ready for you, when the time comes..."

In both instances, Kenyans continued to express their disgust at the apparent diversion of their concept, and subtle skyjack by the government.

Replying to the Isaac Mwaura-affiliated X account, one Kenyan snapped: "Shut Up! You don't even know the motivation behind the movement. I bet you don't even know who or what started it. You spend billions daily to sustain useless statehouse errands. Our young ones are spending zero shillings to get Kenyans to register to vote! That's your job! You should be ashamed of even using our slang, our language or our resources!"

Allans Ademba, the originator of the slogan, and the chaperon of the movement, also expressed his astonishment at the political class' audacity to hijack his moment for their own expediency, slamming them and reminding them that they were the specific reason Kenyans are saying #TukoKadi.

He wrote: "The same person who allowed the massacre of thousand innocent youths stupidly says #TukoKadi. Bro #TukoKadi to get you out of that office. #TukoKadi because of Rex Massai, Erick Siyeni, Erickson Mutisya, David Chege…. Shame on you. Bro toka tuoshe hii nyumba."