Don’t just talk, take charge: Matiang’i challenges youth

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has urged young people to take a more active role in leadership as the country heads towards the 2027 General Election.

Addressing delegates at the Kenya Anglican Youth Organisation (KAYO) conference held at St Thomas Cathedral in Kirinyaga County, Matiang’i challenged the youth to shift from conversations about change to actually taking up positions of influence in governance.

He encouraged them to step into leadership spaces at all levels, stressing that the upcoming election presents an opportunity for a new generation to shape the country’s direction.

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In remarks shared later on social media, he pointed out that many young people feel locked out of opportunities and platforms that directly affect their future, saying this trend needs to be reversed.

"Our nation cannot afford to overlook the aspirations, talents, and voices of its youth. Yet today, many young people feel excluded from opportunities and decision-making spaces that directly shape their future. That must change," he said.

Matiang’i, who has declared presidential ambitions, argued that the country’s progress will largely depend on how well young people are incorporated into leadership and development.

He cautioned that excluding them from decision-making processes risks slowing national growth.

He called for intentional measures to expand access to opportunities for the youth, including greater inclusion and sustained investment in their potential. According to him, empowering young people is central to achieving long-term development and ensuring the country’s future is secure.

"I firmly believe that meaningful progress lies in empowering our youth through opportunity, inclusion, and deliberate investment in their potential. Kenya’s future will be defined by how well we support and uplift this generation. Together, we can build a country that works for its young people," the presidential hopeful added.