Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua has alleged a plot by the government to deny the youth identity cards to lock them out of the 2027 polls.
On Saturday, at her Kimunye village home in Kirinyaga where she hosted former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, she said the requirement that the youth pay Sh1,000 for IDs should be reversed as most of them are unemployed.
“There is a scheme to deny Gen Zs the ability to register as voters. We want free IDs for youths as well as continuous registration of voters. Every Kenyan has a right to elect leaders of their choice without any hindrances.”
She requested Parliament to reverse the move to charge the youth seeking to register. “Youths who have attained 18 years must be given IDs free of charge. Our youths are unemployed and their parents are suffering under the current economic recession. They can't afford Sh1,000,” she said.
Ms Karua claimed that President William Ruto's administration was fearing Gen Zs, who ran down Parliament in protest. “The government knows that Gen Zs are a force to reckon with, after they attempted to kick it out of power and whether they like it or not, the Gen Z must get IDs,” she said.
She told Dr Ruto to brace himself for a tough political battle in the next elections. “We shall rally Kenyans to liberate the country economically, socially and politically and defeat Dr Ruto hands down.”
Ms Karua accused the President of disrespecting the Constitution he swore to protect, adding that he should not be allowed to operate as if the Constitution does not exist.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua when he visited Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua at her home in Kimunye village, Kirinyaga County on January 25, 2025.
Photo credit: Pool
“Dr Ruto used to complain that Uhuru Kenyatta was oppressing him. Mr Kenyatta allowed Ruto to remain in office and didn't have him impeached. Mr Kenyatta didn't conduct a sham impeachment like the one Dr Ruto conducted against Gachagua. But he should know that he impeached Gachagua, but Kenyans have declared him the people's deputy president,” she said.
Ms Karua asked Mr Gachagua to continue talking to Kenyans everywhere and pursue his ambition without fear. “I'm pursuing my ambition for the presidency and my brother, Gachagua, should do the same. When the time is near, we’ll come up with one presidential candidate to battle it out with Dr Ruto.”
She warned former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga against being used by the state to disrupt meetings organised by government critics and “spark conflicts” in the Mt Kenya region.
“Let us preserve our peace. Even other leaders across the country should ensure that peace prevails,” she said, adding that Mr Njenga had a right to support Dr Ruto but he should not interfere with the rights of other Kenyans.
Mr Gachagua asked the Gen Z not to be cowed, urging them to continue fighting for their rights. “The ongoing abductions should not discourage you, all of us must unite to liberate the country from poor governance,” he said, describing the President’s actions as signs of a frustrated leader and telling him to stop branding Mt Kenya residents as tribalists.
Gachagua: Mount Kenya people are not tribal
"The Mountain voted for Dr Ruto 87 per cent. Had we been tribal we would not have voted for him. We are nationalists. The president is bitter and frustrated because the Mountain has abandoned him after he betrayed us. The problem he is facing is for his own making. He cheated us and he must face our wrath," said Mr Gachagua.
He said it was insulting to the community for the President “to go round in meetings calling us tribal, but the truth is that he is unhappy because we abandoned him," said Mr Gachagua.
Mr Gachagua was accompanied by MPs, Gathoni Wa Muchomba ( Githunguri), Jane Kihara ( Naivasha), Benjamin Gathiru( Embakasi Central), James Gakuya ( Embakasi North) and Wanjiku Muhia ( Kipipiri)
Mr Gachagua and Ms Karua said they will give the Mountain people and Kenyans the political direction to take with the Narc Kenya leader saying she was rebranding the party to give it a new look and strengthen it.
