Gov't urges parents, elders to guide youth against anarchy following Gen Z protests

The government is now appealing to parents, religious leaders, and community elders to take a more proactive role in guiding young Kenyans toward peaceful and lawful means of civic engagement.

This comes in the aftermath of violent protests that erupted last week across parts of the country, that saw at least 16 people killed and over 400 others injured, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).

Speaking during the official opening of Mutarakwa and Kapletundo divisions in Bomet County on Monday, Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo stressed the importance of nurturing respect for institutions and the rule of law among the youth.

“Please let’s counsel our children when they go astray,” said Dr. Omollo. “Kenya is a country of laws, and those who feel aggrieved have a right to vent within the bounds of our laws.”

Dr. Omollo condemned the confrontations between protesters and police, as well as widespread looting, warning that Kenya remains vulnerable to descending into anarchy if such trends continue.

Referencing the torching of police stations and destruction of security vehicles, the PS issued a stern warning that individuals found culpable would face prosecution.

“We will arraign a couple of individuals in court this week,” he said. “Do not allow selfish politicians and individuals to use you as pawns. They will not be there when the law catches up with you.”

Dr. Omollo also raised alarm over the infiltration of legitimate youth-led activism by criminal elements, cautioning that the noble pursuit of accountability is being weaponized to create chaos.

He urged politicians not to manipulate young people for personal or political gain.

“Democracy cannot be reduced to periodic elections alone. It demands continuous nurturing through strong institutions, civic education, and genuine political accountability. We cannot achieve this through violent activism or without supporting our leaders and working together to find solutions to our problems,” he stated.

“We are breeding a pervasive culture of impunity when we allow such actions to go unchallenged. If you have a problem with the current leaders, the elections are barely two years away, and you will have an opportunity to seek wananchi’s mandate to implement your vision and agenda for our country.”

Dr. Omollo called on legislators to review Article 37 of the Constitution to better facilitate peaceful protests while insulating them from infiltration by criminal groups.

On the sidelines of the event, the PS also announced that the Ministry of Interior has gazetted 1,105 new administrative units for the 2024/25 financial year.

These include 24 new sub-counties, 88 divisions, 318 locations, and 675 sub-locations. The newly inaugurated Mutarakwa Division (Bomet Central) and Kapletundo Division (Sotik) are among the early beneficiaries.

He revealed that the Ministry has developed a Cabinet memorandum and policy framework to guide the decentralization of services, ensuring each unit has at least two sub-divisions to bolster grassroots government presence and service delivery.

“The new administrative units will increase the government’s presence at the grassroots level, ensuring that services are more accessible and responsive to the needs of all Kenyans,” he said.