Youths postpone planned visit to Uhuru’s Ichaweri home

The Young and Emerging Leaders Advocacy Forum (Yelaf) has postponed its planned visit to the Ichaweri home of former president Uhuru Kenyatta, citing security concerns and the need for further consultations.

YELAF Chairperson Samuel Kagwe said the organisation will announce a new date after completing internal planning and coordinating with the Office of the Fourth President.

“The Young and Emerging Leaders Advocacy Forum (YELAF) will announce a new date to its members after further internal planning and in liaison with the office of the 4th President. We intend to broaden the convening to accommodate more young and emerging leaders who are seeking mentorship and civic grounding,” Kagwe said.

He added that although the group had substantially complied with required protocols, fresh intelligence prompted the postponement.

“We made progress in fulfilling the protocols, and it is this last bit of information that made us to change our minds. We received intelligence that there was a group which had planned to infiltrate us. We had planned the visit to be February 23, 2026,” he stated.

YELAF member Gitau Wagatonye said the forum had acknowledged communication from the former president’s office and would align its next steps accordingly.

“With the letter that was sent through the Spokesperson Kanze Dena, they acknowledge our effort and that we are there. We have adhered to what they have said that we will be part of the communication as we plan for this. We believe that in the next two to three weeks,” Wagatonye said.

The group maintained that its intended visit to Ichaweri was purely for mentorship and to deepen young leaders’ understanding of Kenya’s history.

On Sunday, Uhuru Kenyatta issued a clarification following media reports that a youth group was planning to visit his private residence in Ichaweri, Gatundu.

In a statement signed by Communication Secretary Kanze Dena, the former president confirmed awareness of the reported visit but indicated he was not in a position to host the group at this time.

“We encourage organisers of such initiatives to formally communicate with the Office in advance so that arrangements can be made for structured, peaceful, and meaningful dialogue,” Dena said.

The Office of the Former President noted it had not received any formal request regarding the planned visit and did not identify the organisers.

However, the statement emphasised that Uhuru remains open to engaging young people in a respectful and well-organised setting.

“Former President Kenyatta remains open to meeting and exchanging views in a dignified manner that fosters unity and mutual respect,” Dena said.

The office further praised Kenyan youth for their energy, innovation and patriotism, stressing that young people have a vital role in national discourse.

It added that while the former president supports dialogue, any engagement must be properly organised, peaceful and formally communicated in advance.

“Kenya belongs to all of us. Let us always choose dialogue over disruption and engagement over division,” the statement said.