The platform, dubbed Inuka! Angaza Kura, was launched on Wednesday, November 11, at Sarova Stanley in Nairobi under the theme Reimagining Leadership, Reclaiming Citizen Agency.
The initiative seeks to shift political conversations away from party affiliations, political popularity and campaign promises to issues of integrity, competence, accountability and the values citizens expect from those seeking public office.
Through the platform, Kenyans will be able to identify and nominate individuals they believe can provide alternative leadership, share their electoral experiences and participate in conversations about electoral accountability.
Inuka Kenya Ni Sisi! Chief Executive Officer Dr Kawive Wambua said the campaign was designed to challenge the dominance of political elites and established parties in determining the country's leadership choices.
The initiative seeks to place citizens at the centre of deciding who should lead them and the standards those seeking public office must meet.
The launch comes as political activities begin gathering momentum ahead of the 2027 elections, with the organisation arguing that citizens should play a more active role in determining the country's political future rather than being limited to voting for candidates presented by political parties.
Former Minister Martha Karua, who delivered the keynote address, called on Kenyans to reclaim their constitutional power and challenge a political culture in which elected leaders treat public office as an entitlement rather than a responsibility.
Karua questioned whether Kenyans genuinely exercise the sovereign power guaranteed by the Constitution or whether politicians take control of that power after winning elections.
"Is it the citizen whose taxes sustain the state, whose labour builds the economy, and whose vote confers authority? Or is it the officeholder who, once elected, hijacks power and behaves like the master relegating citizens to subjects?" she posed.
The 2027 presidential aspirant argued that changing the individuals occupying public offices was not enough to transform the country unless leadership also changed its approach to serving citizens.
She said alternative leadership must be grounded in constitutionalism, integrity, economic justice and respect for the sovereignty of the people.
Karua, who has declared her intention to contest the presidency in 2027, maintained that public services such as healthcare, education and infrastructure should never be presented as personal favours from politicians.
"A hospital is a public responsibility. A road is a public investment. Education is an investment in the nation's future. Every service by leaders is part of their duty to us funded by our taxes, not a favour," she said.
She further challenged leaders positioning themselves as alternatives to the current administration to demonstrate through their actions that they would govern differently.
According to Karua, opposition leaders cannot condemn arrogance in government while practising similar behaviour within their political parties.
She insisted that credible alternative leadership must embrace transparency, fair internal elections, inclusivity, accountability and respect for differing opinions.
Karua challenged aspiring leaders to be prepared to answer questions about their track records, proposals, funding plans and how they intend to account for their performance if elected.
The campaign is expected to bring together civil society organisations, religious leaders, media representatives and citizens to discuss alternative leadership and the role of public participation in strengthening Kenya's democracy.
Inuka Kenya Ni Sisi! urged Kenyans to participate in the initiative and help define the kind of leadership they want ahead of the 2027 General Election.
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