PRESS STATEMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Today, on International Youth Day, we reflect on the crucial role of the youth in shaping our nation and acknowledge their significant contribution to Kenya’s future. With the youth representing over 65% of our population, it is imperative that we take this opportunity to address their needs and concerns with the seriousness they deserve.

The recent protests have served as a clear vote of no confidence in the current administration. The issues raised by the youth cannot be ignored or dismissed. The call for change is urgent and requires immediate action. It is no longer business as usual; the government must implement significant reforms.

One of the most pressing areas for reform is the police service. The tragic loss of lives during recent protests, attributed to extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, demands accountability. A verbal apology from the president is insufficient. The president must meet with the families of the victims, issue a public apology, provide compensation, and establish a trust fund to support them. These steps are essential to addressing the deep wounds caused by state brutality.

State institutions, including those within the criminal justice system, must uphold the law and ensure justice. This is a critical test for the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the judiciary. Their commitment to the constitution and their ability to act against corruption and intimidation by the executive will define their legacy.

Furthermore, the president’s recent attempt to divert attention from pressing issues by co-opting the opposition into the government must be condemned. This tactic, which seeks to evade accountability, ironically promotes the very anarchism that he has been criticizing all along. Such maneuvers must be challenged through all available legal avenues.

The unemployment crisis cannot be addressed through mere speeches or empty promises. We need concrete policies and structural reforms that support industry growth and job creation. The government must move beyond rhetoric and focus on implementing meaningful economic changes.

The parliament also faces a critical test. It must free itself from state capture and serve the interests of the people, not the executive. Parliament must uphold its constitutional role of holding the government accountable and representing the masses.

Additionally, the discriminatory higher education funding model must be overturned. The previous, more inclusive model should be reinstated to ensure equitable access to education for all students.

We demand a political environment that promotes cohesion and respects the rule of law. The recent efforts to harass and criminalize certain civil society organization represent a troubling decline in the government’s accountability and transparency.

To the youth of Kenya, we urge you to remain steadfast in your pursuit of justice and progress. Unite, stand strong, and continue to defend our constitution against any attempts to undermine it. Remember, it is darkest before dawn, but a brighter future is on the horizon.

We call on all stakeholders to join in this crucial effort to build a better Kenya for every young person.

END

For more information, please contact:

Owalla Ochieng
Communication Coordinator
Social Justice Centers Working Group
+254726481910