Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna alongside a forum of young aspirants at Ufungamano House/XNairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has cautioned young political aspirants to prioritise their safety as they prepare for campaigns ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking at Ufungamano House in Nairobi on Tuesday, Sifuna urged young politicians seeking elective positions to take their security seriously, warning that political competition can expose them to risks.
“Please, take care of yourselves. Your safety is paramount. There is no one you are leading from the grave,” Sifuna said.
He encouraged the aspirants to remain vigilant and take precautions during their political activities, adding that the pursuit of political change should not come at the expense of their lives.
“Take care of yourselves, bana. Take care of your security. This is not a joke,” he said.
Sifuna warned that political leaders seeking to retain power could resist efforts to challenge the existing political order, urging young aspirants to remain mindful of the potential risks associated with campaigns.
“The people in power do not give up power just like that. People will be looking to harm you and so on,” he said.
The senator said political disagreements should not result in violence, arguing that Kenya should aspire to democratic systems in which political competition can take place without harm.
“It shouldn't be like that. And this is why we are saying we need to change our country,” Sifuna said.
He pointed to what he described as mature democracies where political differences are managed without violence, insisting that this was the kind of political environment he wanted Kenya to build.
“We have seen mature democracies where people can disagree, but nobody gets hurt. And that is the sort of democracy we want to build in this country,” he said.
The senator has been involved in efforts to engage young people in politics, particularly through platforms associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement.
Following the meeting, Sifuna said he had shared his experiences and insights with the Forum of Young Aspirants at Ufungamano House.
“It was my absolute pleasure to share my experiences and insights with the Forum of Young Aspirants today,” he said in a post on X.
Sifuna also praised the forum for creating platforms through which young aspirants can exchange ideas and discuss issues surrounding political participation.
“As I have said before, we are building a movement for young people, and the efforts this Forum has put into organising platforms to exchange ideas are quite commendable!” he said.
The senator's message focused on the importance of young people participating in politics while remaining conscious of their personal security.
