Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has urged Kenyan youth to embrace mentorship and uphold respect for authority as a cornerstone of national unity and moral development. Speaking during the 2025 National Prayer Breakfast, Kindiki emphasized the importance of intergenerational harmony and mutual understanding.
In his address, the Deputy President expressed gratitude to the organizers and attendees of the event, which brought together leaders from various sectors to reflect on Kenya’s moral and spiritual journey. His message to the youth was clear: the path to a fulfilled life requires openness to guidance and the wisdom of elders.
“We respectfully request our children also to respect authority and agree to be mentored and supported,” Kindiki said, underlining that life lessons often extend beyond the walls of formal education institutions. He argued that while academic knowledge is important, true wisdom often comes from lived experiences and relationships with others, especially older generations.
Kindiki stressed that the relationship between adults and young people must be reciprocal. Adults, he said, have a duty to treat youth with dignity and admit when they are wrong. “We need to treat our children respectfully, and when we go wrong, it is not wrong to speak to it,” he remarked, adding that adults must also be role models of humility and accountability.
He also called on young people to respect their elders, even if only because of the wisdom that comes with age. “There are things you may not learn in any college but only in the school of life,” he noted, advocating for a return to values that recognize the importance of age and experience.
Referencing ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, Kindiki concluded with a powerful call for introspection. “A life unexamined is not worth living,” he quoted, urging both the youth and their elders to reflect on their roles in shaping a better Kenya.
Kindiki’s remarks come at a time when generational tensions and youth-led activism have grown in Kenya, highlighting the need for dialogue, mentorship, and mutual respect to build a cohesive society.
