With political activities gaining momentum ahead of the 2027 General Election, leaders have been cautioned against exploiting young people to fuel violence for political gain.
Instead, politicians have been urged to invest in practical youth empowerment programmes that promote self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.
The call was made during the launch of the Munyiri Africa Foundation (MAF) initiative in Juja, Kiambu County, where church leaders expressed concern over the growing trend of using jobless and frustrated youths as tools for political mobilisation and unrest.
The clerics, led by Bishop David Munyiri Thagana of GOA Church and Reverend Mishek Kimuri, challenged politicians to shift focus from divisive rhetoric to meaningful economic initiatives that equip young people with skills and opportunities to earn a living.
They noted that empowering the youth economically would reduce their vulnerability to manipulation and strengthen democratic participation.
The clerics further encouraged young people to demand respect and dignity in political spaces and to resist being drawn into violence or destructive activities during campaign periods.
“Don’t sell your future and your lives to politicians with bribes. It is high time youths in our country rise to the occasion and make informed and wise decision by supporting visionary leaders who have the best interests of our country at heart,” Thagana said.
They said that public spats by politicians of rival factions are a recipe for clamor and divisions in the country and that it is high time politicians put the interests and peace of the country first.
The clerics averred that divisive and confrontational politics will throw the country into turmoil.
“We are witnessing heated exchanges between politicians of different political alliances which is slowly creating animosity between their supporters. This is raising the country’s political temperatures and distorting peace. We are pleading with our politicians to avoid making utterances or engaging in political wars that would disrupt the country’s peace and tranquility,” Thagana said.
In response, youths who attended the event led by Samuel Njoroge and Monica Wairimu pledged to reject political misuse and instead champion initiatives aimed at uplifting their peers.
They committed to promoting income-generating ventures and supporting entrepreneurship among young people within their communities.
The youths also highlighted the importance of awareness and education, saying many young voters are easily swayed by short-term handouts and empty promises.
“We shall enlighten our peers on the need to elect right leaders who will represent our interests. We must ensure that our country gets the deserved leadership that will promote unity and equity as well as create opportunities for millions of jobless youths,” Wairimu said.
They vowed to sensitize their peers on the need to make informed political choices based on leadership qualities and development agendas rather than inducements.
As part of their commitment, the young people resolved to roll out mentorship programmes and civic education forums targeting fellow youths to encourage responsible participation in the electoral process.
“Again we rally our fellow youth to register as voters so that they can bring the desired changes in the country leadership,” Njoroge said.
They said this would help build a generation that values peaceful engagement and long-term development over political chaos.
The Munyiri Africa Foundation initiative aims to provide platforms for mentorship, economic empowerment and leadership training, with a focus on preparing young people to become productive and responsible citizens as the country heads toward another election cycle.
Meanwhile, Bishop Thagana reiterated that MAF has embarked on trainijng the youth and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) on entrepreneurship and financial literacy skills.
He quipped that the Foundation has unveiled a programme aimed at mentoring and imparting relevant knowledge and skills to the youth which will help hone their business skills and start and sustain their business ventures.
He noted that beneficiaries of the empowerment programme are set to receive a boost in financial literacy training, market linkages, business networking with established entrepreneurs and financial access.
Thagana maintained that supporting youths as well as business start-ups is the surest shot at dealing with joblessness and poverty in the country.
He noted that a study has shown that most business start-ups in the country collapse after less than two years due to lack of business management knowledge as well as proper mentorship adding that MAF seeks to address such bottlenecks which will in turn empower thousands of youths economically.
“We have started a movement of empowered businesses, leading dignified lives and influencing positive change in our community, country and Africa at large. We want to eradicate poverty by promoting sustainable businesses as well as mentoring the next generation of business gurus and leaders,” Bishop Thagana said.
The Bishop noted that youths have the potential to drive a country’s socio-economic growth if mentored and given the opportunity.
He emphasized the importance of empowering young people to take on entrepreneurship and leadership roles in order to shape the future.
