Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has appealed to Kenya’s youth to be careful not to thrust the country down the path of destruction in their push for better governance.
“As we reform, as we put corrective measures in place, going forward, our key anchor must be peace and stability so that that environment can be conducive for everybody to go about their activity,” he said
Mudavadi expressed concern that if the events of the last month characterized by violent protests continue, the country’s political and economic situation might be jeopardized.
He gave an example of the situation in some of the neighboring countries and urged the youth to, over and above everything, ensure Kenya does not degenerate into chaos.
“If you are a young person today, say 18 or 20 (years old), and your country is thrown into turmoil and does not recover for the next 40 years, tell me where you will be,”
“It is easy to take it for granted, but I can tell you there is no peace in Sudan today, they are scattered, 23-25 million are in a serious humanitarian crisis and total hunger. 10 million have been displaced,” he said
According to Mudavadi, rebuilding a country in ruin can take many years and sometimes recovery may not be possible.
“In some of our neighboring countries so let’s not take our peace and stability for granted. Let us take corrective measures but not undermine the peace and stability. The countries that have suffered have taken up to 40 years to start showing signs of recovery, Somalia went to chaos (in 1990) and it is now that they are showing a little bit of recovery,” said the Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary
At the same time, Mudavadi noted that actions by the country’s youth can easily undermine their reputation.
“I want to appeal to our young people, as they speak to us on other aspects of economy and governance in the country, I also appeal to them not to undermine the credentials of a disciplined youth that emerges from Kenya,”
“Let us not undermine our credentials. We have achieved something, through our young people as being disciplined and focused. Let’s make sure that specific strength or attributes is not undermined by our actions that do not reflect discipline as we go forward. It could have an impact on the opportunities we are providing both outside and even internally, we must not scare potential industrialists on the ability and character of our young people,” he reiterated
