Former Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo has warned against the use of young people to advance political interests through violence and intimidation.

In a post on his X account on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, Owalo said young people should not be drawn into political violence because of limited opportunities.

“Violence should not be used as a tool of political intimidation,” Owalo said.

He called for a peaceful political environment where leaders are judged on their policies, integrity and track record rather than their ability to intimidate opponents or create fear.

Youth vulnerable to manipulation

Owalo said the country must address the lack of opportunities that leaves many young people vulnerable to political manipulation.

“It is unacceptable for young people to be drawn into political violence because of limited opportunities,” he said.

He urged leaders and other stakeholders to focus on empowering the youth and creating opportunities that would enable them to participate meaningfully in the country’s development.

Sakaja raises security concerns

Owalo’s remarks came a day after Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja warned that the misuse of unemployed and disillusioned young people by politicians posed a bigger security threat to the region than terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda.

Speaking during a Catholic conference in Nairobi on Monday, July 20, 2026, Sakaja said millions of disengaged young people were vulnerable to manipulation and could be recruited to advance political interests through violence.

“The biggest security challenge in our region is not Al-Shabaab. It is not Al-Qaeda. It is millions of disillusioned, disengaged young people,” Sakaja said.

He said young people had been misused locally by politicians, including leaders who should instead be creating opportunities for them.

Calls to reject goonism

Sakaja urged the Church and other institutions to take a leading role in addressing the exploitation of young people and restoring sanity in society.

“And we really must come strong as a Church to bring back sanity and to stop that idea of goonism,” he said.

His remarks came as more than 10,000 young people from across East Africa gathered in Nairobi for a Catholic bishops’ conference focused on unity, hope, justice and good governance.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi also urged young people to reject violence, tribalism and divisive politics.

“No young and promising life should be sacrificed for political expedience. Elections will come and go, but our nation’s unity, stability and future must endure for generations to come,” Mudavadi said.

Owalo said Kenya must protect the democratic right of every citizen to participate peacefully in political and public affairs.

“Kenya deserves peaceful politics where leaders are judged by their policies, integrity, and track record, not by intimidation or fear,” he said.