Jubilee’s Fred Matiang’i calls for youth inclusion in Kenya’s leadership future
By Aloys Michael, July 10, 2026Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Fred Matiang’i has renewed his call for greater youth inclusion in Kenya’s leadership and development agenda, saying the country’s future will depend on how well it empowers young people today.
Matiang’i made the remarks on Friday, July 10, 2026, after engaging young leaders from across Kenya, where he said their ideas, voices and leadership must remain central to efforts aimed at building a nation that creates opportunities, rewards talent and restores hope.
“Kenya’s future will be shaped by the choices we make for our young people today,” Matiang’i said.
The former Interior Cabinet Secretary said he was encouraged by discussions with young leaders who shared their experiences on the challenges and opportunities facing their generation.
“I was encouraged by my engagement with young leaders from across the country, who shared their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing their generation,” he said.
Matiang’i added that young Kenyans must be given a meaningful role in shaping national conversations, leadership and economic transformation.
“I assured them that their voices, ideas, and leadership will remain central to our journey as we work together to build a nation that creates opportunity, rewards talent, and restores hope,” he stated.
Matiang’i’s continued push for youth empowerment
The remarks are part of Matiang’i’s broader advocacy for youth inclusion, with the Jubilee leader previously warning that many young people feel excluded from opportunities and decision-making spaces that directly affect their future.
He has argued that Kenya cannot achieve sustainable progress if it fails to tap into the skills, creativity and ambitions of its youthful population.
During an engagement with thousands of young people at the Kenya Anglican Youth Organisation (KAYO) Conference held at St. Thomas Cathedral in Kerugoya, Kirinyaga County, Matiang’i said leaders must take deliberate steps to address youth exclusion.
“Our nation cannot afford to overlook the aspirations, talents, and voices of its youth. Yet today, many young people feel excluded from opportunities and decision-making spaces that directly shape their future. That must change,” he said.
He emphasised that youth empowerment requires practical action, including expanding opportunities for leadership participation, skills development and economic advancement.
“I firmly believe that meaningful progress lies in empowering our youth, through opportunity, inclusion, and deliberate investment in their potential,” Matiang’i said.
Youth participation in Kenya’s political future
Matiang’i’s message comes amid continued national debate on youth unemployment, economic inclusion and the role of young people in Kenya’s political future.
With young people forming a significant part of Kenya’s population, leaders across the political divide have faced growing calls to create more opportunities for youth participation in governance, employment and entrepreneurship.
Matiang’i said supporting young people should be viewed as a long-term investment in Kenya’s stability and growth.
“Kenya’s future will be defined by how well we support and uplift this generation,” he stated.
The Jubilee deputy leader continues to position youth empowerment as a key issue in his political engagements, urging leaders to move beyond promises and create pathways that allow young Kenyans to contribute to national development.
His latest remarks reinforce his call for a more inclusive Kenya where young people are not only beneficiaries of government programmes but active participants in shaping the country’s future.