First Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi acknowledged past mistakes committed by various regimes and stressed the importance of peace and stability for national prosperity.
Speaking at the launch of the Kenya Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET-CDACC) Strategic Plan 2023-2027, at the Kenya TVET School in Gigiri, Nairobi, Mudavadi called on the youth to reflect on the nation’s current challenges with a sober mindset.
“Young people should take a moment and seriously reflect on the issues they are raising. I urge them to have a moment of meditation and take a step back. I want them to understand that leaders and authorities are listening and working to provide a solution,” Mudavadi urged.
“We have made mistakes and there has not been any regime that has gone without making mistakes. Human beings, from time to time, stumble. Even our forefathers made mistakes but they stood firm for their country. Kenya must not go under. The country is bigger than all of us,” he added.
He also urged young people to learn from conflicts in neighbouring countries and avoid actions that could lead Kenya into a similar crisis.
“There are countries that have taken up to 40 years to show signs of recovery and get back on their feet as a result of instability. I call on young people to reflect on what is happening in some of our neighbouring countries like Sudan, which is so disheartening and sad,” he lamented.
Mudavadi cited the current situation in the country urging leaders and authorities as well as citizens not to downplay or take it for granted as countries have been plunged into conflicts and wars and lives have been ruined due to mass killings and people displaced due to lack of law and order.
“If you are 18 or 20 years old now, imagine spending 40 years trying to get out of a conflict in a country plunged into chaos. What will your life be like during that period?” he asked.
Mudavadi said that youth are key players in nation building as they are the future of a nation and play an integral role in the social fabric of the society.
He warned against portraying youth empowerment as a threat to nationhood, highlighting the potential of Kenyan youth to transform the industrial sector and attract investors.
“As we work collectively to solve the challenges we face as a country, I appeal to young people who speak to us on economic and governance issues: they must not undermine the credentials of Kenya’s disciplined, hardworking and focused youth population,” Mudavadi urged.
“As young people of this nation, your character and ability must reflect and remain the fundamental roadmap to where you want to go as individuals and collectively for the future of our country.”
