Former NFL player turned preacher Rickey Bolden delivered a powerful and emotional sermon during the National Prayer Breakfast held at Safari Park, where he strongly criticised the way Kenyan leaders handled the Gen Z-led protests in June last year.
Speaking with visible frustration, Bolden expressed his deep disappointment over the arrests, mistreatment, and even deaths of young Kenyans who were simply demanding accountability from their government.
Bolden, who was invited as the main preacher at the event, recounted how he prayed to God, asking that Kenyan leaders and adults at large would find it in their hearts to apologise to Gen Zs for the pain and trauma they endured.
“I prayed to God that the adults would apologise to the Gen Zs,” he said.
In his message, the preacher emphasised that Gen Zs are not just a group of noisy youth on the streets; they are intelligent, educated, and full of potential.
He pointed out that many of them are more informed and capable than the older generation. Gen Zs have gone to college. Some of these Gen Zs are smarter than we are,” Bolden said.
“I have a daughter who is a doctor. Whenever I need help, I don’t go to the hospital; I call her. Whenever I want to invest my money, I don’t go hanging around a bank; I call my son.”
Bolden expressed heartbreak over the way young people were treated, saying they were only seeking love, respect, and a seat at the table, yet were met with violence and disdain.
“The Gen Zs are dying to be loved, dying for a seat at the table, and dying to be respected,” he said.
Kenyan leaders’ apology to Gen Zs
He further drew parallels between the experience of Kenyan youth and that of Black Americans in the United States, saying that both groups are crying out for recognition, justice, and respect.
Bolden, who lives in the U.S, said that despite living in a developed country, Black Americans continue to feel marginalised and disrespected, and the government has never formally apologised for the atrocities committed against them during slavery and colonisation.
He likened this silence to how the Kenyan government has handled the Gen Z protests.
“The Gen Zs came out, only to be treated like children by adults,” he said.
He went ahead to say that Kenyan leaders should humbly approach Gen Zs and apologise for the arrests and killings.
“If only the leaders of Kenya could humble themselves and go before Gen Zs and say, ‘We had you arrested. We know that had to be traumatising. We are sorry.’”
Rickey Bolden’s message was a rare moment of candour and accountability during an event that is usually filled with formalities and diplomatic language. His sermon struck a chord with many, especially young people who have felt ignored and demonised for speaking out.
