Clerics to State: Address underlying issues fueling youth unrest

Religious leaders have strongly condemned the destruction of public property witnessed during the Gen Z-led protest on Wednesday, June 25.

Speaking from Nyandarua on Saturday, the leaders have called on the government to prioritise dialogue to address the underlying issues fueling the unrest and to respond to the demands by the youth.

They warned that unless this is done, protests will persist.

The religious leaders, led by Archbishop Josam Kariuki, visited areas where looting and arson occurred, condemning the violence and calling for investigations into those involved.

"The anger of our youth, while understandable, nonetheless cannot be expressed through destruction of the very foundation of our society that we depend on," Archbishop Josam Kariuki said.

Bishop Samson Gachathi of the Anglican Church of Kenya echoed these sentiments, condemning the inhumane act and calling upon investigative agencies to act swiftly.

"As religious leaders, we condemn the inhumane act and call upon the investigative agencies to act swiftly and ensure that the goons who infiltrated the peaceful demonstrations are brought to book," Gachathi said.

He further stated that the church was willing to offer itself as a platform for dialogue and announced plans to organise seminars in an effort to guide and restore hope among the youth.

The leaders further condemned Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen' 'shoot-to-kill' order.

"It is wrong to kill, and it is wrong to harm. The government should be proactive; the government should be there to protect lives," Kariuki stated.

The leaders called upon the Gen Z protesters to tone down the protests and urged the government to address youth demands to avoid recurring demonstrations and national instability.

The protests, which marked the anniversary of the June 25, 2024 anti-Finance Bill demonstrations, turned violent in different parts of the country, including Nyandarua County.

Nyandarua County and national government vehicles were burned, offices were destroyed, and national identity cards were lost.

The religious leaders are calling for calm and constructive engagement in order to move forward.