Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has laid blame for Kenya’s youth-related challenges on past administrations, accusing them of failing to plan for future generations. Speaking during a media round-table in Meru on Tuesday, Murkomen said that the growing unemployment crisis and economic struggles facing Generation Z stem from decades of poor planning and underinvestment in key sectors such as manufacturing and industry.
In response to recent remarks by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta urging the youth to rise up and demand good governance, Murkomen criticized the message as dishonest and incomplete. He argued that leaders who have previously been at the helm must acknowledge their own failures before advising the youth.
“You cannot feign ignorance that you are not part of those who created the problem bedeviling young people at the moment,” Murkomen said. “The first step is to acknowledge your failure.”
The CS emphasized that President William Ruto’s administration is actively addressing these long-standing issues through initiatives such as the Affordable Housing Programme, which aims to improve living standards and create jobs, particularly for low-income earners. He noted that the housing programme is not just about shelter, but a broader strategy to spur economic growth and industrial expansion.
Murkomen launched the Jukwaa La Usalama forum in Upper Eastern as part of ongoing national engagement to discuss security and economic development. He said the current government has a plan to mitigate youth unemployment, but it will require national sacrifice and honesty in political messaging.
“It’s not just about calling for protests. It means sweating, working hard, and contributing more even through taxes so we can fix past mistakes,” he stated.
He challenged former leaders, including President Kenyatta, to show what they did for the youth while in office and to support current efforts instead of politicizing the matter.
At a recent summit in Kampala, President Kenyatta called on the youth to see themselves as freedom fighters of their generation, urging them to take initiative in shaping their future.
