- George Biruri, a facilitator, said Kenyan youth are concerned about the economy, youth unemployment and education and that issues of regional politics are of little concern to many Kenyans.
- He said it is important for leaders to play their part by focusing on development and addressing issues of concern to Kenyans.
Image: KNA
Religious leaders have called on politicians to engage in peaceful and constructive politics.
The clerics said the events being witnessed in the country will undo the progress made in restoring normalcy after the recent nationwide Gen Z protests.
They include leaders under the umbrellas of the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) and the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM).
They said the type of national politics going around derails development and challenged the leaders to resolve their issues amicably.
George Biruri, a facilitator, said Kenyan youth are concerned about the economy, youth unemployment and education and that the issues of regional politics are of little concern to many Kenyans.
He was speaking at St Mary’s Cathedral in Murang’a during an engagement forum between young people and religious leaders dubbed Mulika.
He said even as various stakeholders take up initiatives to ensure the protests that rocked the country in mid-2024 are not repeated, it is important for leaders to play their part by focusing on development and addressing issues of concern to Kenyans.
“The Mulika initiative targets the youth and was necessitated by the protests led by young people that rocked the county in June and July,” he said.
“We want to encourage the youth to use peaceful channels when airing their concerns and the responsible authorities to act accordingly.”
Biruri said religious leaders have come up with such forums to provide a platform for the youth to present their issues as well as get guidance on various matters affecting them.
He said after identifying several issues that are very important to the youth such as unemployment, corruption and nepotism in the job market among others, the religious organisations will be acting as a link between the youth and duty bearers or the responsible authorities in both the county and national governments
David Mwaura, another facilitator, said other challenges young people are facing include drug abuse and mental health issues and the church should start offering counselling services to the youth so as to help them deal with these issues.
He said religious organisations need to come up with mentorship programmes and income generating activities for the youth in order to be part of the solution.
“We need mentorship programs where the youth can be mentored and guided by professionals in various fields,” he said.
Mwaura asked the youth to take up volunteering opportunities whenever possible so that they can gain the experience required for the job market as they seek gainful employment.
Alhaji Bakari of SUPKEM highlighted the significance of the Mulika initiative’s attempt to deal with the issues leading to the protests that rocked the country months ago.
“The government is trying to resolve matters but so far no satisfactory progress has been made, leaders must focus on ensuring the issues leading to the protests are resolved," he said.
He said as religious leaders, they have come together to help the youth peacefully address their concerns and find lasting solutions.
“So far some changes have been made but their impact has not been felt by the youth,” he said.
Bakari said the youth are still discontented in terms of the way things are being run in the country and the political temperatures are still very high.
Jimna Kihiu, one of the youth representatives taking part in the Mulika initiative applauded the religious leaders for giving young people a forum where they can come together to address their issues.
"This forum has helped us raise our concerns, especially pertaining to unemployment, the quality of education and the new university funding model,” Kihiu said.
Kihiu called for futuristic and long-term policies addressing the issues affecting the youth such as unemployment.
“We do not want short-term initiatives that are personal projects or political initiatives that change with every regime,” he said.
Kihiu who is a student leader at Kenyatta University called on any young people offered the opportunity to represent their peers to do so quantitatively without using the avenues for personal gain.
The Mulika initiative is funded by US Aid, is taking part in 10 counties and involves a series of activities including virtual and physical meetings.