After a church service at PCEA Thika on Sunday, June 29, where former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i was joined by leaders including Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba, and other officials, the group proceeded to a local eatery in Thika Town.
Their arrival drew excitement from residents, who paused their routines to cheer and engage with the leaders.
Locals were visibly delighted, with many eager to shake hands with Matiang’i. He was forced to constantly wave at the cheering crowd, who welcomed him warmly as their preferred presidential candidate.
The joy on people’s faces was visible after seeing Matiang’i while proceeding to the local eatery for breakfast; the constant ululations and cheers from the crowd could not be ignored. He was forced to constantly engage them as he and other leaders made their way to the local eatery.
Matiangi’s call
Earlier during the church service, Matiang’i had urged leaders, parents, and institutions to pay closer attention to the concerns raised by young people, warning against the growing trend of silencing their voices.
Speaking to the congregation, Matiang’i emphasised the need for society to create safe spaces where young people can express themselves freely. He noted that the recent wave of youth-led protests reflected deep-seated frustrations that should not be ignored or suppressed.
“Let’s encourage ourselves as parents, especially as we raise our children, because the first environment for training is the family and home. In addition to the knowledge we seek to give our children, we must also ensure that we develop deep relationships with them, speak to them, love them, and, most importantly, give them an opportunity to be heard,” Matiang’i said.
Without delving into politics, Matiang’i addressed what he described as a worrying culture where youth voices are dismissed instead of being taken seriously. He maintained that the country must develop a habit of listening to its young people, as doing so is key to nurturing future leaders.
Matiang’i stressed that youth engagement is not only about providing a platform but also about shaping them into responsible citizens who can drive the country forward. He underscored the need to include youth voices in the national development agenda, given that they represent a significant portion of the population.
“What we are seeing in our country now is a challenge where we are suppressing the voices of our children when, in fact, it should be natural to listen to them when they speak. By failing to do so, we are not nurturing responsible and patient individuals who can move our nation forward,” Matiang’i stated.
