Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has warned the youth that they risk missing the mark if they wait for those currently in power to hand it to them in the future.
Speaking on Tuesday, December 16, at a conference in Nairobi, Uhuru told young people that the notion of 'leaders of tomorrow' is misleading, urging them to act boldly and take their places.
“If you continue believing you are the leaders of tomorrow, that tomorrow will never come. You are the leaders of today. Your ideas, your courage, your personal commitment will shape the future of Africa," he said.
The former Head of State emphasised that Kenya’s early leaders, such as Tom Mboya and Kenneth Matiba, began shaping the nation while young, proof that youthfulness is not a barrier in leadership.
In his address, Kenyatta applauded the youth across the region who are taking initiative on social and humanitarian issues, reiterating that their unity proves Africa’s renewal has begun.
He described the gathering as 'a movement of young leaders committed to transforming the continent,' further urging them to seize leadership opportunities now.
Among the dignitaries who attended the meeting were IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu and Nominated Senator Crystal Asige.
The IGAD conference, themed 'Harnessing youth leadership to drive Africa’s growth,' brought together the bloc's leadership academy, members of the diplomatic corps, and regional leaders.
Since the year began, the former president has notably shifted his style of politics to engage young people, actively encouraging them to stand up for their rightful place in society.
In January this year, Uhuru challenged the youth to continue agitating for their rights, further urging his daughter, Ngina Kenyatta, to also join the movement, arguing it was time for him and his peers to rest.
The call for youths to continue agitating for their rights came amid a surge in the cases of enforced disappearances targeting young people who had at the time turned against the government, demanting for a better governance.
“The problem with people nowadays is people are afraid. Gen Zs are the story of the future. Call for your rights. Ensure you are getting what is rightfully yours,” he urged.
