Matiang’i urges national dialogue, warns repression of Gen Z could tear Kenya apart

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has called for a national dialogue to address the growing frustration among Kenya’s youth, warning that continued state repression could tear the country apart.

Speaking on Sunday during a church service at PCEA Thika Town Church in Kiambu County, Matiang’i criticised the government for resorting to blame games and use of excessive force instead of listening to Gen Z, whose concerns he said are legitimate and urgent.

“What we are seeing right now in our country is the challenge where we are contesting the voices of our children, when in actual fact it should be natural that when our children are speaking to us, we listen to them,” he said.

He urged the government to engage young people constructively and address their grievances instead of intimidating them through police brutality.

“If we do not listen to our young people, we will not nurture responsible and patient individuals capable of taking Kenya to the next level,” he said.

Guiding the youth

Matiang’i also called on parents to take a leading role in guiding the youth through empathy and understanding, saying the home is the first foundation of discipline and leadership.

“Let us, especially as parents, encourage one another as we raise our children, because the first environment of training is the family and the home. In addition to the knowledge we are seeking on how to guide our children, let us also ensure we develop strong and deep relationships with them. Speak to them, love them, and allow them to express themselves,” Matiang'i noted.

He further criticised the current administration for failing to create a culture of accountability and instead engaging in finger-pointing over past governance failures.

His remarks come at a time when political and religious leaders, alongside civil society organisations, are urging President William Ruto to acknowledge the pain and demands of Gen Z protesters, many of whom have taken to the streets in recent weeks over economic hardship, corruption and police brutality.

'Terror tactics'

On June 25, the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) slammed the state for deploying terror tactics on peaceful demonstrators.

“The pain caused by the state-sponsored abductions, torture and killings of the youth is immeasurable. Kenya has indeed become a police state. Why is the government so determined to rule by fear and terror rather than simply applying the Constitution and Laws of Kenya?” NCCK said.

“To all our young people, we urge you to condemn police brutality and stand firm in the demand for justice, accountability and good governance through peaceful demonstrations and civic engagement. The time for change is coming.”

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also condemned the use of lethal force on protesters, saying it was unnecessary.

“In the strongest terms possible, I condemn the use of excessive force and live bullets by the police on peaceful and unarmed Gen Z protesters witnessed yesterday across the country. Intimidating the peaceful and young demonstrators who were only remembering their slain colleagues in the struggle only complicates the matter for you and your rogue regime, Mr Ruto,” Gachagua said.