Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has 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 during a church service at PCEA Thika on Sunday, June 29, 2025, 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 reflects 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 diving into politics, Matiang’i addressed what he described as a concerning culture where youth voices are being dismissed instead of being taken seriously. He maintained that the nation must develop a habit of listening to the concerns of its young population, as doing so is key to nurturing future leaders.
Matiang’i stressed that youth engagement is not only about giving them a platform but also about shaping them into responsible citizens capable of driving the country forward. According to him, the process of national development must include the voices of the young, who form 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.
He was accompanied at the service by Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba, and other leaders.
Gen Z voices
Matiangi joins the growing list of leaders who have called for a hearing of the grievances raised by the young people.
This also comes at a time when the young people are calling for change by taking to the streets, as seen in the past demos.
During the national prayer breakfast at Safari Park, the keynote speaker during that event also called for the same, with him urging leaders present to apologise to the young people for using excessive force during the 2024 Gen Z protests.
