Nairobi — Democratic Party Leader Justin Muturi has stirred debate online after posting a Sheng-laced message on X, in what many observers see as an effort to appeal to Gen Z voters as the race toward the 2027 General Election gains momentum.
"Wadau a new week has started, si mboka zenu zijipe siku zombotote," Muturi wrote on Monday -- a light, casual message encouraging Kenyans to let their weekly hustles unfold.
The post immediately caught attention, not only for its informal tone but also because it came from a veteran politician who once served as National Assembly Speaker in the 11th and 12th Parliament and later as a Cabinet Secretary.
Muturi, who is now a key figure in the growing Unite Opposition coalition, appears to be aligning himself with a broader tactic adopted by opposition leaders seeking to appeal to younger, digitally active voters.
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The coalition includes former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (DCP), Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, PLP leader Martha Karua and DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa, among others, a line-up positioning itself to challenge President William Ruto in 2027.
The renewed charm offensive comes barely a week after the opposition suffered heavy losses in the November 27, 2025, by-elections.
In Mbeere North, where Muturi has strong political roots, his DP party candidate narrowly lost to UDA's Leo Wamuthende in a closely watched parliamentary race.
Muturi's attempt to speak the language of the youth, however, attracted mixed reactions online.
One user, @koroabiriana, asked: "Sheng nani kakufunza bwana Ag?"
Another, @B_Ajurik, wrote: "Politics is a game for the shameless... punde tu wakiuma nje kiswahili inabadilika wanaongea hadi shembeteng."
The criticism grew sharper, with @BrianMPeter saying: "Hata uongee Ki-Mbeere, we will never embrace you... You had a chance to help your people while in government."
Another user, @dagitarihatari, added: "Hata uongee kama sisi huwezi kuwa mmoja wetu. Tutashuka na nyinyi mafala."
According to observers, the opposition's increasing use of slang, memes and digital-friendly language represents a shift in how leaders communicate, particularly after Gen Z shaped national discourse through online activism and street protests in recent years.
The strategy, however, may not yield the desired results.
Recent by-elections, where the opposition suffered narrow losses in key constituencies, showed that while Gen Z is vocal and active online, they do not yet translate into decisive votes on the ground.
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