Former ODM Director of Political Affairs Wafula Buke has ignited a ferocious online war with a controversial claim that strikes at the heart of Kenya’s "Get Rich Quick" culture. In a no-holds-barred interview, the veteran activist asserted that any Kenyan in their 30s flaunting millions is likely a criminal, dismissing the narrative of "hard work" as a myth.

Buke’s comments come amidst a surge of young "forex traders" and "wash wash" barons splashing cash on social media, creating pressure on a generation grappling with unemployment. "Show me the business," Buke challenged. "You cannot sell tomatoes and buy a Range Rover in two years. These are thieves washing money."

The "Wash Wash" Pandemic

His sentiments have split the nation. To the older generation, he is a truth-teller exposing the rot of illicit financial flows. To the "Gen Z" entrepreneurs, he is a bitter relic of the past who doesn't understand the digital economy.

• The Defense: Young traders like the "Kenyan Prince" argue that the digital age has democratized wealth creation. "We are trading global markets, not selling maize," retorted one forex influencer.
• The Reality Check: However, the DCI has frequently flagged many of these "overnight millionaires" for fraud and money laundering, lending credence to Buke’s skepticism.
• Social Impact: The display of unexplained wealth is fueling a mental health crisis among youth who feel like failures for not being rich by 25.

A Society in Crisis?

Buke’s provocation forces an uncomfortable conversation. Have we normalized theft? When a 30-year-old drives a car worth more than a lifetime of a teacher's salary, do we clap, or do we call the police? In a country where corruption is a national sport, Buke argues that skepticism is the only sanity left.

The debate rages on, but one thing is clear: in Kenya, the line between legitimate hustle and organized crime is becoming dangerously blurred.