Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged the Kenyan youths to continue fighting for their rights.
The former Head of State made the comment when he attended the burial of his cousin Kibathi Muigai on Friday, January 17, 2025, in Ichaweri, Gatundu South.
While addressing the congregation that cheered almost every word he uttered, Uhuru said the Kenyan youth, who have popularly been referred to as the Gen Z should continue fighting for their rights without surrender.
“Shida ya watu siku hizi, sijui mumeogopeshwa. Ma Gen Z nyinyi ndio the story of the future. Fight for your rights bwana.
“Sio kukaa hapo mali yenu ichukuliwe na nyinyi mumetolea jasho. Msikubali. Pambaneni muhakikishe mumepata haki yenu. Munasikia nyinyi? Sio kukaa kaa hapo tu.
“Hakuna kitu inadumu. But everything is worth a fight for. If you do not fight for it ikienda mtu asilie. Msimame mpiganie haki yenu na mko na hawa watu ambao wamebaki na wako tayari kupigania haki yao, waungane pamoja nanyi. You cannot just stand there and let people take your hard-earned sweat,” Uhuru said.
While urging Gen Z to continue with a fighting spirit, he suggested that he supports them even though he would not take an active role.
“Dunia haiendi namna hio. Muwe watu ambao hawataogopa. Teteeni haki zenu sio kukaa kaa tu mnaogopa kuogopa sasa ni sisi. Sisi tutulie Nyinyi ndio mko na nguvu ya kupambana na hii watu. But we are behind you, muendelee namna hio,” he added.
Gen Zs vs President Ruto
Uhuru’s comments come while the Kenya Kwanza government has been put under serious check by Gen Z.
The government has been on a collision path with the youth since the youngsters rose to oppose the Finance Bill 2024, which was later dropped by President William Ruto amid serious public pressure.
