Former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has issued a stark warning to Kenya’s political class after thousands of young people in Othaya, Nyeri County, rallied behind a TikTok content creator—without any involvement from politicians.

The gathering was organised in support of Vincent “Kaluma Boy”, a 17-year-old whose story of struggle and resilience has captured national attention. Kuria described the unprecedented mobilisation as a sign of “the new Republic,” driven by young people determined to chart their own course outside the traditional political elite.

In a pointed message to veteran leaders, he urged them to recognise the generational shift:
“Smell the coffee, wazee wenzangu. The young people of this country have moved on without us. We are like that spare wheel at the back of a Land Rover.”

The Story of Kaluma Boy

Kaluma’s rise began in August 2024 when his father suffered a severe stroke, leaving him in a coma for three months. As the family’s situation worsened, the teenager stepped up as the primary caregiver.

To support his father’s recovery, he worked long hours on tea farms, earning meagre wages that went directly into medical bills. On TikTok, he began sharing raw videos of his daily life—not polished skits, but footage of him picking tea under the sun and appealing for help to pay for a physiotherapist.

From TikTok to Othaya

On September 28, 2025, the digital movement spilled into real life. Thousands of Kenyans travelled to Othaya in buses and motorcycle convoys to stand with Kaluma Boy. The crowd, which overwhelmed the small town, arrived with donations of food and money aimed at covering his father’s ongoing treatment.

The mobilisation quickly became more than charity—it symbolised solidarity and people power in action. Even Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah praised the effort, calling it a display of “real community vibes.”