Kenyan youths have been urged to
register in large numbers as voters to enable them to elect leaders of their
choice in the 2027 general election.
Kwame Otiende Foundation director
Kwame Otiende said Kenyan youths (Gen Zs) have often expressed their
dissatisfaction with the way the country is governed and feel like their
concerns are not being addressed.
The youths have continued to engage
in anti-government protests, with the latest one, dubbed Saba Saba, occurring
on July 7, 2025.
During the protests, some of them
have been accused of involvement in looting and destruction of property. The
youths have vowed to continue with anti-government demonstrations until the
government listens to them.
It is against these continuous
protests that Otiende asked the youths to register and vote for leaders of
their choice in elective positions.
“Peaceful demonstration is a fundamental
right of all Kenyans as enshrined in the Constitution. But I tell youths that
they still have an opportunity to register and vote for leaders they feel will
deliver for them," Otiende said.
Speaking to journalists on Monday,
the foundation director asked Gen Zs to remain focused so they can be part of
the solutions to the problems bedeviling Kenya as a country.
Otiende wants youths to use their
numerical strength to achieve the transformation they want.
“Demonstrations and protests in the
streets alone are not enough if youths cannot use their voters’ cards to bring
the change they desire. Kenya needs peace to actualize development," he
said.
As demonstrations were going on in
some parts of the country, Homa Bay remained calm as youths avoided participating
in protests for the second time.
The county has been one of the
epicenters of protests in the past, but in the last two demonstrations, it has
remained calm, and residents have been going about their businesses as usual.
The Homa Bay business community, led
by Jack Nyambega, said they had not witnessed demonstrations, which allowed
them to conduct business.
The youths also did not engage in
protests on June 25, 2025.
Nyambega said many Kenyans are
feeling the pinch of a hard economy, and avoiding demonstrations will enhance
economic growth.
“We’re happy with the situation in
Homa Bay. People are able to do their businesses because the environment is
conducive,” Nyambega said.
Residents led by Lucas Ndege urged
Gen Zs to take their time and participate in economic activities.
“I appeal to Gen Zs to find a
peaceful way of channeling their issues to the government. I also urge the
government to listen to the grievances of youths so that we can have harmony in
our country,” Ndege said.
They cited development projects
undertaken by the national government as some of the reasons for their decision
not to protest.
“We have seen learning going on well in all schools across the county due to the peace that has prevailed. This is commendable,” Ndege said
