- We positively acknowledge the legitimate concerns raised by the majority of our Kenyan youth.
- The President has unequivocally expressed his readiness to engage and reason together with the young people of Kenya.
Image: PCS
It is heartbreaking to note that several young people lost their lives during the public unrest.
I can affirm this administration’s stand and assurance that any death above zero is unacceptable and highly regrettable.
Last week, the situation degenerated into a potent threat to national security with targeted attacks on critical state institutions including Parliament, the Supreme Court of Kenya and the office of the governor of Nairobi county. Organised attacks targeting strategic institutions that represent democracy, law and order were evident.
The media continues to grapple with the enormous explosion of misinformation and disinformation in the digital space.
We positively acknowledge the legitimate concerns raised by the majority of our Kenyan youth, particularly on unemployment, high cost of living, perceived political neglect and limited opportunities for exercising their innovations and energetic potential.
Kenya, like other developing states, finds itself on the horns of a dilemma: compelled to choose between servicing the debt or serving its people.
Kenya is a stable democracy where citizens enjoy freedom of expression and unfettered party politics. However, sectarian political orientations should not be the lenses through which we conceive Kenya’s participation in international relations.
The President has unequivocally expressed his readiness to engage and reason together with the young people of Kenya on a conducive platform, seeking convergence on the way forward concerning the country’s governance challenges, debt burden, economic shocks and political.
The President proposes a multistakeholder all-inclusive National Steering Committee to spearhead countrywide dialogue and consultations with the youth and all citizens.
The government has drawn valuable lessons from the public unrest over the Finance Bill, 2024. Indeed, our citizens have expressed legitimate concerns but the government also has a responsibility to protect Kenya and its people from looming threats to national security.
I wish to assure you that Kenya’s long-term security will not be compromised and, consequently, the government has taken measures to contain protests that turn riotous and exceed the constitutionally permissible limit.
The state will continue to protect the people, public institutions and private property within its territory.
Excerpt of Prime Cabinet Secretary's statement to ambassadors