Governor Nassir backs dialogue to bridge generational disconnect
By Valerian Khakayi, July 27, 2025Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Nassir has called for honest and open dialogue between Kenya’s youth and elders to mend what he describes as a growing generational disconnect in society.
Speaking during a church service at Kongowea Methodist in Nyali on Sunday, July 27, 2025, the governor emphasised the need to restore the lost bond between generations, a message he said is deeply personal and urgent.
He stressed that the strength of a society lies in its ability to harness both experience and innovation, urging young people to embrace the guidance of elders while encouraging older generations to open space for youthful voices and ideas.
“There is a clear disconnect. The wisdom of our elders and the energy of our youth must not exist in silos. It is time to talk. And more importantly, it is time to listen,” he said.
Nassir said that rebuilding trust and communication across generations was critical to addressing many of the challenges facing the country today, including moral decay, unemployment, and civic apathy.
“Let’s rebuild the bridges that make us stronger as a society,” he urged.
Nassir’s remarks come amid growing public concern over rising generational tensions, often reflected in online discourse, political divides, and social behaviour.
His pledge to support initiatives that promote intergenerational dialogue aligns with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s call for a national conversation to heal divisions and foster unity across generations.
Raila’s call for dialogue
This comes after the former prime minister, on Monday, July 7, renewed his call for a national dialogue and the outcomes to be subjected to a referendum.
Raila proposed the dialogue, which aims at bridging the gap between the government and the Kenyan youth.
Speaking during a press briefing, Odinga proposed the immediate establishment of an intergenerational national conclave to bring together diverse voices from across the country.
“I want the outcomes of the national dialogue to be subjected to a referendum,” Odinga said.
”I propose an inclusive intergenerational national conclave to hear our people across all divides and come up with the irreducible reforms and changes necessary to take the country forward. I propose that the country urgently return to the agenda of comprehensive police reforms, focusing on enhancing accountability and transparency and improving police-to-people relations.”