Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has dropped a bombshell in support of the youth, who have been leading protests against President William Ruto's government, urging them not be intimidated.
Mr Kenyatta spoke on Friday on the same day President Ruto swore-in two Cabinet Secretaries allied to his predecessor, and who were co-opted into the Cabinet after a shock meeting between the two leaders in Gatundu, Kiambu County on December 9, 2024.
The support for the Gen-Z-led protests, which saw the dropping of the Finance Bill last year and the firing of the entire Cabinet before the co-option of allies of Mr Kenyatta and those of opposition leader Raila Odinga , would likely generate intense discussions, given that the former president has for a long time since he left office often kept off public and political discourses.
"The problem with some is peddling fear… do not buy it. Nothing lasts forever. Gen Z, you are the story of the future. Fight for your rights, people. Do not just sit idly by and see everything you’ve worked for being taken away; do not let it happen. Stay the course to make sure you get your right,” Mr Kenyatta said in Gatundu, Kiambu County.
Uhuru to Gen Zs: Fight for your rights
Mr Kenyatta was speaking on burial ceremony of his cousin, Kibathi Muigai, in Ichaweri village, Gatundu South constituency.
“Nothing lasts forever. And everything is worth a fight for. Fight for what’s yours, so if it’s taken, you do not lament. Stand up for your rights, and these kids have shown you how to fight for it. Do not be people full of fear!” Mr Kenyatta said.
Mr Kenyatta's shocker comes at a time when the Gen-Z and other youth groups are fighting against bad governance in general – and abductions, extrajudicial killings in particular— perceived to be done by the government.
It comes at a time when the youth have launched daring online attacks, including images that depict leaders in coffins.
Mr Kenyatta’s public stance appears to be a huge boost to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua , who is leading campaigns against President Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki in Mt Kenya.
"You are complaining when you are put in coffins. You mean you fear death that much to a point you abduct and murder? Death is a natural thing. Some government officials are engaging in more damaging evils like corruption...which is worse than drawing one in a coffin...Our youths must keep the fire of resistance burning," Mr Gachagua had said last Sunday in condemning the abductions.
The depiction of leaders in coffins was suspected by social media users as being the main reason for the abduction of youth across the country, with those said to be behind it having been held for days before being released last week.
State-funded human rights agency, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, had said about 82 Kenyans had been abducted since June 2024, with more than 20 still missing.
“I want to ask you those who are encouraging young people to continue this trend where they are putting people in coffins to be careful so that we don't build a generation that is going to self-destruct. We must tell our young people that good morals, good character pays. Instead of using the internet to have pictures, images of people in coffins, use the internet to monetise and create jobs for yourself, earn money and make your lives better. Having coffins will not help you in any way and it will do nothing to nobody,” President Ruto said in Turbo in Uasin Gishu County on January 10.
In the new-look cabinet, President Ruto picked former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo as Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication, and the Digital Economy and Mr Mutahi Kagwe for Agriculture.
Former Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui landed the Cabinet Secretary for Investment, Trade, and Industry slot. Others include former Murang'a Senator Kembi Gitura (board chairman for the Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral hospital), former Laikipia governor Ndiritu Muriithi (Kenya Revenue Authority board chairman) and former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth (chairman of Kenya Bureau of Standards Council) to mark what pundits defined as Mr Kenyatta's grafting into government.
But Mr Kenyatta's unprecedented support for the controversial issue that is the Gen Z tussle with the Ruto administration shines a spotlight on whether indeed the two had any deal with President Ruto regarding national politics now and for 2027.
Coming at a time that Gen Z population is at a political and economic war with the government, Mr Kenyatta has strongly aligned with the youth.
Some Ruto loyalists that include Interior Cabinet Secretary Mr Kipchumba Murkomen, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, National majority leader Kimani Ichung'wa, Daadab MP Farah Maalim and Mining Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho have openly told off the youth, especially on social media, against attacking the government.
"You should not be cowed. You know, I don't know whether you have been cowed... no, that's not the way to live. Fight for your rights," Mr Kenyatta said in Gatundu, in remarks likely to cause a political storm.
The Mt Kenya region has shown open hostility to President Ruto and his administration after the impeachment of Mr Gachagua.
Recent moves to win back the region have included appointment of Mr Kenyatta’s perceived loyalists into the cabinet and propping up former Mungiki leader Mr Maina Njenga to counter Mr Gachagua’s influence.
Mr Kenyatta's Jubilee Party has for weeks since the former president met his successor insisted there was no deal with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
The party's Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni told Nation.Africa: "I told you not to read too much into the said UhuRuto meeting".
He said the meeting did not in any way mean that it was the start of a new alliance between the two presidential partners in 2013 and who ruled together till 2022 when Dr Ruto won the presidency.
"I can, without fear of contradiction, tell you that the meeting between the two had no sinister motives. Our party leader has never been interested in being co-opted into government or helping the incumbent rule," Mr Kioni said.
He added that Mr Kenyatta is only interested in offering recommendations to the government and Kenyans as a statesman.
"You remember that Mr Kenyatta in his presidency consulted with the opposition leader then, Raila Odinga but never grafted him into government. That is the same relationship that Mr Kenyatta desires in this government. He can be consulted alright, but with no intention of being grafted into government," he said.
