Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has strongly defended Kenyan youths, popularly known as Gen Zs, amid the growing frustration they have expressed on social media.
In the Kenya Kwanza government, young people have often faced criticism from politicians, including President William Ruto, for their outspoken opposition to the administration.
Many leaders have interpreted their boldness as rebellion, but Sakaja believes otherwise.
Speaking on Saturday during the burial of Dagoretti MP Beatrice Elachi’s son, who was part of Gen Z, Sakaja clarified that the youth are not simply being rebellious but are crying out for their voices to be heard.
He explained that their frustration stems from feeling ignored by leaders rather than from a desire to defy authority.
“What you see in young people as anger and bitterness is actually a cry for help. The real issue is not the youth; the problem lies with us, the politicians. Instead of engaging with them at their level and understanding their grievances, we choose to blame them,” Sakaja said.
The governor urged politicians to shift their approach, humble themselves, and take young people seriously instead of dismissing or threatening them.
He emphasized that leaders should see themselves as parents to the youth and approach them with understanding rather than arrogance.
“As parents and leaders, let us not respond to our children with pride and ignorance. Let’s not dismiss or intimidate them because the more we threaten them, the more we provoke resistance,” he warned.
Sakaja stressed that what the youth truly need are responsible and stable leaders who are willing to listen, communicate effectively, and work together with them to find solutions to their problems.
In recent months, Gen Zs have boldly called out the Kenya Kwanza government, criticizing its actions whenever they feel things are not being done correctly. However, many politicians perceive this as defiance, leading to threats against the youth.
Young people have actively used protests and social media platforms to express their dissatisfaction, with chants such as ‘Ruto Must Go’ gaining momentum in their push against President Ruto.
Sakaja’s defense of the youth comes just three days after Kenya’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Charles Kahariri, issued a stern warning regarding the ‘Ruto Must Go’ movement.
General Kahariri reminded the youth that any push for change must be conducted within the confines of the law.
“If you feel dissatisfied with the government you elected, you must follow the right procedures as outlined in the Constitution. You cannot just chant ‘Must Go’ without due process,” Kahariri warned.
As tensions continue to rise, Sakaja’s remarks serve as a strong message to politicians, urging them to engage with the youth constructively rather than seeing them as a threat.
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