Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has called on Gen Z to continue fighting for their rights, barely two months after a symbolic ‘handshake’ with President William Ruto.
While speaking during the burial of his cousin, veteran rally driver Kibathi Muigai on Friday, Uhuru did not hide his thoughts over the rising influence of Kenyan youth on political discourse.
Uhuru, who has shied away from speaking on politics since he left office in 2022, asked the youth to continue fighting for their rights.
“The problem of people nowadays is people are afraid. Gen Zs are the story of the future. Fight for your rights. Fight to ensure you are getting what is rightfully yours,” he urged.
He went on to add, “Don't stand and watch as your wealth is taken from you. Everything is worth fighting for. If you do not fight for it, don't cry if it is taken away.”
Uhuru was pleading with youths, including his daughter Ngina Kenyatta, to also join the fight, arguing it was time for him and his peers to rest and hand over the fight.
The call for youths to continue the fight came amid a spate of abductions targeting young people who have turned against the government online.
In December alone, at least six Kenyan youths were reportedly abducted, including Kibet Bull, the youth behind viral memes of President Ruto.
Uhuru’s message for the youth comes a month after he meets with Ruto at his Ichaweri home on December 9. The meeting was interpreted as Ruto making inroads into Mt Kenya following the ouster of Rigathi Gachagua.
As a result of the meeting, Uhuru’s allies have made their way into the Cabinet. Lee Kinyajui (Trade), William Kabogo (ICT), and Mutahi Kagwe (Agriculture), all allied to Uhuru, were sworn in on Friday.
What remains unclear is whether Uhuru will take an active role in any movement that arises from his call today. During the height of the Gen Z-led protests last year, his name was floated as being among the financiers of the movement, a claim that remains unsubstantiated.
Uhuru was speaking at the burial of his first cousin, Kibathi, who passed away last week at the age of 72.
