Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged young Africans to take up leadership responsibilities without delay.
Speaking at the IGAD Leadership Academy (ILA) Annual Alumni Conference on Tuesday, December 16, he challenged the notion that youth are only “leaders of tomorrow,” arguing that such thinking fosters hesitation at a time when Africa needs bold, values-driven leadership.
He cited Kenya’s early political trailblazers, including Tom Mboya and Kenneth Matiba, who began influencing national affairs in their twenties, emphasizing that age has never been a barrier to making a meaningful impact or driving transformation.
Uhuru Kenyatta Encourages Young Africans to Take Up Leadership Responsibilities. Photo: Courtesy.
Notably, speaking during the memorial of Kibathi Muigai on Friday, January 17 Uhuru Kenyatta had also urged younger generations to defend and protect what they have worked for, emphasizing the importance of standing up for their rights.
Following his remarks, leaders within the Kenya Kwanza administration, including Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, criticized Uhuru.
Murkomen accused the former president of inciting youth for personal gain and argued that Uhuru’s tenure as president did not position him as the most qualified to advise on governance matters.
