Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is the latest Kenyan politician to go live on TikTok, a Chinese-owned short-form videos social media platform.
His debut live session on January 23 lasted about two hours and attracted over 10,000 viewers.
In 2024, Gen Zs harnessed the power of TikTok to protest and challenge authority, transforming the platform into a hub for digital activism.
With its short, engaging video format and highly interactive user base, TikTok became the preferred tool for young Kenyans to voice their frustrations and demand accountability from their leaders.
They used the platform to share personal stories of struggle, from economic hardships to experiences with systemic injustice.
Faced with this digital uprising, most politicians scrambled to join TikTok, hoping to connect with Gen Z audiences.
However, some struggled to adapt to the platform’s informal, fast-paced style, while others faced backlash for attempting to co-opt trends without addressing underlying issues.
The Reuters Institute’s Digital News Report 2024 found that TikTok was among social media sites that grew big, climbing to 36 per cent, and particularly resonating among younger users.
The report showed that more than a third of Kenyans now turn to TikTok for news, mirroring a global trend where 23 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds rely on the platform for news.
Javas Bigambo, a governance expert and political analyst, called on Kenyan leaders to fully embrace digital tools as indispensable for governance, communication, and engagement.
"Gen Zs revolution did not motivate any politician to join TiKTok. Times have changed, and humanity must embrace that change,” said Mr Bigambo.
“The use of technology, particularly social media, is not tethered to a specific age group but tied to the transformative nature of the world we live in. Leaders who fail to adapt risk becoming obsolete in their engagement strategies."
Leaders over the years, he said, who have perfected use of the biggest media then have succeeded in their politics.
"Today, tools like TikTok, X, and podcasts offer unprecedented opportunities for engagement, yet many leaders remain hesitant or ill-equipped to use them effectively," he said.
Closer to home, Bigambo pointed out that some Kenyan politicians have yet to harness the power of digital platforms.
"Politicians need to view platforms like TikTok, Twitter, and podcasts not as distractions but as tools for positive engagement, mobilization, and policy advocacy," he said.
He also called for a more comprehensive approach to integrating technology within government functions.
"While Kenya has developed a draft artificial intelligence framework, we have yet to see substantial budgetary allocations for AI training and adoption within ministries and critical government arms. The potential for AI to revolutionize service delivery, judiciary processes, and even legislative functions is immense," he said.
Here are some of the politicians active on TikTok
Phelix Odiwuor ‘Jalang'o’
Apart from being an avid TikTok user, Lang'ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang'o, has been a vocal advocate for the platform.
He has urged the government not to ban TikTok, emphasizing its role in empowering young people.
"Don't ban TikTok. The young people, in their thousands, believe that TikTok is where they are making their money," he stated during a past interview.
Jalang'o uses TikTok to showcase his lifestyle and currently, to address matters concerning his constituency and leadership.
Langata MP Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang'o.
Photo credit: File | Nation
Most of the videos on his account feature glimpses of his village, his support for friends' events, how he spends his weekends, and brand marketing and advertisements.
One of Jalang'o's most popular content features his worker, Eli, who has risen to celebrity status thanks to the politician’s TikTok videos.
In these clips, Jalang'o, affectionately referred to as "Daktari" by Eli, captures their light-hearted weekend moment.
His TikTok account boasts over 530,000 followers and more than 5.3 million likes across all his videos. Interestingly, Jalang'o does not follow anyone on the platform.
His TikTok bio inspires his followers to embrace life: "When alive, try to live!"
The Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary was one of the first Kenyan politicians to join TikTok, embracing the platform in 2020.
His verified account boasts over 608,000 followers and 2.8 million likes.
Joho follows only 29 accounts, keeping their identities private.
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Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
He uses TikTok to showcase his luxurious lifestyle, often sharing videos of his flashy cars and stylish outfits.
True to his lively personality, he often shares posts featuring Bongo music, a genre he adores.
His favourite artists include Bruce Melodie, known for the hit "Katerina," and Ali Kiba.
In 2020, a video of him enjoying Melodie's "Katerina" went viral, amassing 1.5 million views.
The Mumias East MP is making waves on TikTok, where his dynamic and often humorous content has earned him a significant following.
The first-time, controversial yet entertaining MP gives his followers a peek into his personal and professional life.
With 743,000 followers, 12.4 million likes, and 536 accounts he follows, Salasya’s account offers a mix of relatable and aspirational content.
Mumias East MP Peter Salasya.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
He isn’t a typical politician, his page often features lighter moments, such as enjoying whiskey, swimming, or sharing tipsy reflections without hesitation, even in the face of criticism.
Often referred to as the “Dancing Queen of TikTok,” Omanga entertains her followers with videos of her grooving to both gospel and secular music.
Former nominated Senator Millicent Omanga.
She keeps her circle exclusive, following only seven accounts.
The nominated senator is no stranger to TikTok, where she manages her account, except for parliamentary clips, which are handled by an admin.
For her, TikTok is more than just a social media platform; it's a bridge to the younger generation.
"I use TikTok to interact with young people, connect with them, and sometimes participate in trending challenges. It is a great way to relate to them on their level," she told Nation.
She shared a personal experience where one of her videos, featuring her holding a Miraa stick, was removed and flagged.
"...if you even hold a glass of wine during a live session, you risk being banned. It is a good thing because it ensures decency and accountability."
Despite its challenges, including attempts by critics to bring down her account during the Gen Z protests for her pro-government stance, Nyamu said she remains a strong advocate for the platform.
For Nyamu, TikTok is also a source of income, although she hasn’t withdrawn her earnings.
Instead, she uses the platform to gift her followers and occasionally receives gifts during her live sessions.
Karen follows 87 people on the platform, with 589.7K followers and 8.3 million likes on her videos.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja joined TikTok in January 2023, inspired by a friend's daughter who urged him to join the platform to connect more easily with the younger generation.
Sakaja’s debut was a welcome video in which he encouraged Kenyans to follow him and share ideas on the kind of content they wanted to see.
One of the most popular features of his TikTok presence is his Dishi na County program, a school feeding initiative that has garnered significant attention.
Sakaja's TikTok account boasts 457K followers and 2.5 million likes, while he keeps his following list limited to just nine people.
President William Ruto has also embraced TikTok as a platform to engage with the public, amassing an impressive 581.9K followers and 3.4 million likes on his verified account, @thepresidentofkenya5.
President William Ruto on New Year's day at Kisii State Lodge in Kisii County on December 31, 2024.
Photo credit: PCS
Despite his popularity on the platform, the President has not followed any accounts.
One notable feature of his account is that the comment section has been disabled, a setting that remained in place as of January 9, 2025.
Nyeri governor Mutahi Kahiga
Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has also embraced TikTok as a platform to connect with citizens, blending his official duties with glimpses of his personal life.
Kahiga told Nation that he operates three TikTok accounts, with two managed by his team and one that he handles personally.
The governor explained that his inspiration to join TikTok stemmed from curiosity and an effort to engage with the younger generation.
"People kept sending me TikTok videos, but I couldn’t access them because I didn’t have an account."
Kahiga explains that his TikTok journey began with light-hearted content, such as country music covers and motivational speeches.
However, he quickly recognized the platform’s potential for meaningful engagement.
Despite the positive interactions, Kahiga acknowledged the challenges of navigating social media as a public figure.
"When the political climate heated up in 2024, some people became abusive, especially over my stance on certain issues like the finance bill. It reached a point where I stopped going live for a while. I have lost some interest after that backlash where I was mostly receiving insults," he said.
