'Do not be misused to ruin your country,' Kindiki warns youth

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki. [File, Standard]

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has urged young Kenyans to demand accountability from leaders while resisting political exploitation and violence.

Kindiki was speaking in Tharaka Nithi on Tuesday, August 2, where he addressed youth leaders, artists, content creators and musicians from Embu.

His remarks come amid rising youth frustration over unemployment and governance, with recent protests highlighting demands for better services and political reforms.

"Ask us and everyone in leadership the hard questions. Demand better services. If you think we are not handling public affairs correctly, ask the questions, but I plead with you not to allow yourself to be taken advantage of to destroy your country because it will defeat the whole purpose of expressing your concerns," said Kindiki.

He described young people as custodians of the nation’s present and future, warning them against being used to destabilise the country.

"Do not accept being misused by older folks to destroy your country. You need a peaceful country and a good economy so that when you clear school, you can get a job or start a business in a conducive environment," noted Kindiki.

The deputy president said the Kenya Kwanza administration was tackling youth unemployment through programmes including  Kazi Kwa Ground, which he said is creating jobs in affordable housing projects, market construction and teacher recruitment.

Kazi Mtandaoni, he noted, trains youth for online work, and Kazi Majuu facilitates employment abroad through labour agreements.

He added that the government had overhauled the education system to align skills with market needs through the Competency-Based Education and Training model, which includes the Competency-Based Curriculum in basic education and reforms in tertiary and university learning.

"We are working hard to make our education system relevant, affordable, accessible and of high quality because it is beneficial to the young people," explained Kindiki.