He wears a beret, fatigues, and speaks the language of revolution. Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the leader of Burkina Faso, has become an unlikely icon for Kenya’s disillusioned Gen Z. Social media is awash with edits of his speeches, contrasting his "action-oriented" style with the "talk-shop" politics of local leaders.

The "Traoré Myth" taps into a deep yearning for sovereignty and decisive leadership. His rejection of Western aid and reclaiming of national resources resonates in a Kenya grappling with debt and IMF conditions. "He is what we wish we had," tweeted a popular influencer. While critics warn of the dangers of military rule, for many young Kenyans, Traoré represents a dignity they feel they have lost.