Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has called for a major shift in how Kenya interacts with its youth, urging leaders to stop sidelining young people and instead involve them directly in national development. Speaking at a fundraising dinner organized by the A-Kili Foundation in Nairobi, Mudavadi emphasized the need for a more honest, respectful, and inclusive dialogue with Kenya’s youth, who make up nearly 75 percent of the country’s population.
“We, the politicians, are the biggest culprits. We have been talking down to young people instead of engaging them in meaningful conversations,” Mudavadi said, he urged his fellow leaders to stop viewing youth as a challenge and instead recognize them as a solution. Mudavadi, who also holds the Foreign and Diaspora Affairs docket, framed his remarks around the urgency of youth empowerment. He emphasized intellectual development over handouts, calling education and knowledge the most reliable currency for future success.
“Let us stop portraying young people as a problem. They are the solution. They will be the ones to define and build Kenya’s future,” Mudavadi stated. Mudavadi shared personal milestones from his political journey, noting that he joined Cabinet at age 28 and became Finance Minister by 33. “I think I can exercise some bragging rights,” Mudavadi said. “I was at the center of opening and liberalizing the economy. Many services we enjoy today, like Safaricom, came from those reforms.”
Mudavadi also recalled advice from a senior politician who once told him that while land was growing scarce, the brain remains the only unlimited and equitable resource a concept he called the “Brain Settlement Scheme.” “This is what the A-Kili Foundation is doing empowering young people to till their minds and move forward,” he said.
Since 2011, the Foundation has reached more than 5,000 young Kenyans through mentorship programs, digital skills training, business incubation, and leadership development. Mudavadi praised its founders, Dr. Hosea Kili and Mama Secilia Kili, for their lasting contribution to youth empowerment.
The PCS cautioned against glorifying violence and warned young people not to fall for political manipulation through misinformation online. “Artificial Intelligence is now being used to spread falsehoods and manipulate facts,” Mudavadi said. “Let us not allow our youth to be swayed by lies or illusions.”
Mudavadi condemned narratives that promote armed leadership, warning that such paths invite instability. “Let us not mislead our young people into believing that someone with a pistol around their waist is providing better leadership,” Mudavadi said.
Mudavadi defended civilian governance, saying democratic systems, despite flaws, offer predictable elections and lawful transitions. “With civilian government, you can predict when elections will be held. That predictability is the strength of democracy,” he said.
Mudavadi warned that failing public institutions pose a greater risk than any political disagreement, urging Kenyans to focus on reform and accountability rather than abandonment. In closing, he urged citizens to take ownership of the country’s future. “Take a deep breath, take one step backward, and then move forward,” he said. “But let us never allow ourselves to lose direction.”
The event brought together public officials, civil society leaders, and private sector players, all committed to supporting youth-focused innovation and inclusion.
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