More than 160 youth from across Kenya have gathered here at the Jumuia Conference and Country Home in Limuru for the 2024 National Youth Conference. This event, which precedes the 65th General Assembly of the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), is centered around the theme “Empowered Youth for Sustainable Livelihoods,” inspired by 1 Thessalonians 4:11, which urges us to lead a quiet life, mind our own business, and work with our hands.
1. State of the Youth in Kenya
With over 70% of Kenya’s population under the age of 35, the youth are vital to our nation’s present and future. Youth perspectives and needs must drive all policies and laws. Currently, the exclusion of youth from leadership and decision-making in political, social, and religious spheres has led to dire consequences: over 65% of the youth are unemployed and live in severe poverty. This cannot continue if Kenya is to be a sustainable society.
2. Message to President William Ruto
Your Excellency,
We, the youth of Kenya, are deeply disappointed by your disregard for our appeals over the past two months. The trust we placed in you and your administration is now overshadowed by frustration and betrayal. The growing anger within the nation is a threat to our stability.
We reiterate our concerns:
- Finance Bill 2024: The youth and Kenyans rejected the Finance Bill 2024, yet the new Cabinet Secretary for Treasury intends to reintroduce portions without public consultation.
- Cabinet Appointments: Despite calls for reform, you reappointed the same corrupt individuals and introduced new, politically connected figures. We demand the inclusion of at least seven youths in the Cabinet.
- Corruption and Governance: There has been no accountability for corruption, and the Cabinet is now filled with individuals who have acquired wealth through questionable means. This perpetuates corruption and poor governance.
- Police Brutality: The youth’s call for an end to police brutality and the right to peaceful protest has been met with violence, resulting in deaths and disappearances. Your assurances about human rights violations are increasingly unconvincing.
We urge you to heed the wisdom of Proverbs 14:23: “All hard work brings profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”
3. Message to Members of Parliament
Dear Members of Parliament,
You were elected to represent the people of Kenya. Your recent actions, particularly the passing of the Finance Bill 2024 amidst public outcry, have blatantly disregarded the people’s will.
Your failure to listen and act in the interest of Kenyans, including ignoring 1,300 petitions during the Cabinet Secretary vetting, is unacceptable. We demand an end to the disregard for public participation and a return to meaningful representation.
Remember Proverbs 29:1: “A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed without remedy.”
4. Message to the People of Kenya
Dear Fellow Kenyans,
We urge you to continue fighting for justice and equity in our nation. Psalms 82:2 challenges us: “How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?”
Let us reject corruption at all levels and commit to removing corrupt individuals from leadership. We encourage youth to demand inclusion in governance and decision-making roles to ensure fair representation.
5. Message to the Church
To Our Church Leaders,
We call on you to embrace and empower the youth within your structures. The youth are allies in the fight for accountability and good governance. We urge you to expand your efforts to support youth-led sustainable livelihoods and to stand firm as advocates for justice and good governance, as you did in the 1980s and 1990s.
We hope the church will be a sanctuary for youth in these challenging times.
Conclusion
In conclusion, let us all be guided by Micah 6:8: “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
As we strive for justice, accountability, and better governance, let us remember the values expressed in our National Anthem:
“Let one and all arise, with hearts both strong and true. Service is our earnest endeavor. And our homeland of Kenya, Heritage of splendor, firm may we stand to defend.”
Let this statement be a call to action for all Kenyans to work towards a better, more equitable society.
