Amidst growing fears that the youth — Gen Z — might influence the outcome of the 2027 General Election, politicians have invoked the tribal card to consolidate their bases and rally ethnic support.

Led by President William Ruto and his fierce critic, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, the political class has ditched the issue-based debate and resorted to fanning ethnic loyalties and divisions by using community identity as a tool to secure votes and portray rivals as threats to their community’s interests.