Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has issued a strong call for Kenyan youth to take leadership into their own hands, cautioning that waiting for power to be handed down risks being left behind.
Speaking on Tuesday, December 16, at an IGAD conference in Nairobi themed “Harnessing Youth Leadership to Drive Africa’s Growth,” Uhuru emphasised that the idea of “leaders of tomorrow” is misleading. “If you continue believing you are the leaders of tomorrow, that tomorrow will never come. You are the leaders of today,” he said.
Uhuru pointed to Kenya’s early leaders, including Tom Mboya and Kenneth Matiba, who began shaping the nation while still young, as proof that age should not hinder ambition. He lauded youth across Africa taking initiative in social and humanitarian projects, calling their unity a sign of Africa’s renewal.
He also urged Gen Z and young people to boldly advocate for their rights and ensure they claim what is rightfully theirs. “The problem nowadays is fear. Gen Zs are the story of the future. Call for your rights,” he said.
The gathering brought together members of the IGAD leadership academy, the diplomatic corps, and regional leaders, highlighting the importance of youth-led change across the continent.
