June 25 protests warning sign if youths stay jobless – Ole Kina

Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina has called for urgent and deliberate action to create jobs for young people, warning that failure to harness the youths' potential could have far-reaching political and social consequences.

Speaking a day after Gen Z-led protests rocked the country on June 25, Senator Ledama emphasised the need to engage Kenya’s youth in nation-building, particularly in the public service and economic development sectors.

“We need to create job opportunities for our youth to promote effective governance in this country,” said Ole Kina, posted on his X platform on June 26, 2025.

“It’s crucial that all our roads, hospitals, schools, agricultural sectors, and industries are developed by young people.”

The senator’s remarks come in the wake of unprecedented nationwide protests, largely mobilised on social media by young Kenyans demanding transparency, accountability, and more inclusion in governance.

The demonstrations, which began as a pushback against the controversial Finance Bill 2024, evolved into a broader generational outcry against corruption, poor leadership, and limited economic prospects.

Ole Kina proposed a two-pronged approach to addressing the youth crisis, including deploying high school graduates through a reformed National Youth Service (NYS) model and empowering college graduates to innovate and lead in their areas of specialisation.

“High school graduates who cannot pursue further education should be directed to the National Youth Service across all 47 counties, with each county employing them to implement their budgets,” he suggested.

“Additionally, college graduates should be given the space and support to innovate. Otherwise, we may not fully understand the real intended and unintended consequences of June 25th.”

The senator’s comments reflect growing concern among leaders over the sustainability of the current youth-driven political awakening.

The Gen Z protests, largely leaderless and decentralised, have shifted national discourse and drawn international attention for their bold defiance, use of digital tools, and unfiltered messaging.

Ole Kina’s remarks underscore what many observers see as an urgent need for structural reforms and youth-centred policy interventions to prevent further unrest and build a more inclusive economy.

“Young people must not be left on the sidelines of national development. If we do not act now, the frustration will only grow,” he warned.