Youth have been urged to foster peace and unity instead of focusing on the use of force and confrontation to gain their rights or wishes.
Elders from the Luo community in Uasin Gishu have said instead, communities and youth should use diplomacy and dialogue to resolve challenges.
Led by council chairman Charles Ong'iya and vice chair Mark Orinda, the elders said frequent protests by youth were in bad taste and a threat to peace and security in the region and the country at large.
“Our leaders, President Ruto and Raila Odinga, are in a broad-based government and we don’t need to embarrass them by allowing our youth to always participate in violent protests,” Orinda said.
The protests were no longer beneficial but a source of misery for many families who were affected in one way or another, they added.
“When the youth destroy properties in areas where they are usually employed, then it’s the same as ruining the economy and cutting the hand that feeds them,” Orinda said.
They asked Gen Zs to keep off anti-government protests and focus on issues that will empower them economically.
Ong'iya said Uasin Gishu was a cosmopolitan region and President William Ruto’s home county, which must be an example to others in terms of peace and stability.
“We fully support efforts by President Ruto and Odinga to unite the country and we want our youth to emulate such leaders,” he said.
The council vowed to join hands with elders from other communities in order to sensitise youth on the need for peace and unity and strengthen peace and stability in the region.
Others present were Evans Odhiambo, a human rights defender and the organising secretary of the elders' council, Joash Osum.
The elders also praised Governor Jonathan Bii for supporting their activities and helping to strengthen inter-community cohesion.
