Kasmuel McOure, the impeccably suited face of Kenya’s 2024 awakening, has declared the era of sending messengers over. In a move that signals the maturation of street agitation into institutional hardball, McOure has drawn a sharp line in the sand: the youth will no longer rely on political brokers to plead their case to the State.

The launch of the Broad-Based Youth Front (BBYF) this week marks a strategic pivot in the country’s political landscape. For the average young Kenyan hustling in the informal sector, this is not just palace intrigue; it is a bid to force the government to deliver on the bread-and-butter promises—jobs, digital opportunities, and creative economy grants—that have reportedly stalled in bureaucratic pipelines.

The Ultimatum: “If You Weren’t on the Streets...”

Speaking in Nairobi, McOure did not mince words. His target? The seasoned politicians who have attempted to co-opt the Gen Z movement for relevance within the Ruto-Raila ‘Broad-Based Government’ arrangement.

“I will not take direction from any politician who was not with me on the streets last year,” McOure asserted, his tone cutting through the usual diplomatic speak. “Their popularity or political status notwithstanding. Politicians have toyed with the youth for far too long.”

This declaration effectively severs the BBYF from the traditional party command structures. While McOure remains a member of the ODM Youth League, his stance suggests a new, autonomous power center that intends to leverage the sheer demographic weight of Kenya’s youth to force doors open at State House, bypassing MPs whom he accuses of “political chicanery.”

Targeting the “Indolent” Ministry

The Front’s first order of business appears to be a direct confrontation with the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports. McOure accused the docket of “intolerable inefficiency,” claiming it treats the country’s largest demographic as an afterthought.

For the creative in Roysambu or the athlete in Eldoret, these are not abstract complaints. The Ministry controls billions in funds meant to stimulate the creative economy and sports development. McOure’s charge is that these resources are being stifled by incompetence and personal agendas.

• The Accusation: The Ministry is prioritizing “personal agendas” over its mandate.
• The Demand: Direct lobbying for a “youth blueprint” that ensures funds reach the intended beneficiaries, not administrative overheads.
• The Strategy: Engaging youth leagues across the political divide—including UDA—to present a united front.

Strange Bedfellows in a Broad-Based Era

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the BBYF is its willingness to work across the aisle. McOure, an ODM stalwart since November 2024, is now pledging to reach out to UDA youth leagues. This mirrors the national “Broad-Based Government” but with a distinct difference: it is led by the rank-and-file, not the principals.

“We are in this broad-based government until it fully delivers its mandate, and we will own it to the very end,” McOure noted. This pragmatic approach acknowledges the reality of the current political marriage while warning that the youth will not be passive passengers.

Analysts observe that this move carries significant risk. By engaging directly, McOure walks a tightrope between achieving tangible results and being swallowed by the very system he seeks to reform. However, the alternative—shouting from the sidelines while policy stagnates—has clearly been deemed insufficient.

As the BBYF prepares to roll out its engagement strategy, the message to the political class is clear: The suits are still sharp, but the gloves are coming off.