Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has emphasised that sustained focus and consistent effort are essential to unlocking the full potential of Kenya’s youth, describing them as the country’s greatest asset.

In a statement posted on his Facebook account on September 2, 2025, Kindiki announced that he had hosted 4,500 young people from Embu County in Irunduni, Tharaka Nithi County, where he underscored that true youth empowerment requires a consistent commitment from the government over time.

“Sustained focus will get the country to a place where we can realise the full potential of the youth and make it possible for every young person in Kenya to access opportunities for the advancement of their future,” he stated.

Youth potential

According to the Deputy President, the current generation of young Kenyans is better positioned to contribute to national development compared to previous generations.

“The youth are the greatest asset Kenya has. They are better educated, more knowledgeable, more exposed, and they have a full life ahead to serve and build Kenya,” Kindiki stated.

He further noted that the gap between young people leaving the education system and those entering the labour market is gradually closing.

This improvement, he said, is a result of various government initiatives.

“Step by step, the number of unemployed youth and those without income opportunities is reducing, and so is the gap between numbers of young people leaving the education system versus those being absorbed into the labour market annually,” Kindiki stated.

Youth demands

Kindiki’s comments come weeks after he urged leaders across the nation to not only listen to the concerns of young people but also to act on their recommendations.

Speaking at Pwani University during the Pwani International Youth Week on August 6, 2025, Kindiki warned that Kenya’s long-term stability hinges on how the nation addresses the aspirations of its youth.

“As we discharge our responsibilities, young people must have their voice heard, but not just their voice being heard. Their input must be put into action, and what they ask us to do should be implemented because they have a bigger stake than all of us in our country’s stability,” Kindiki declared.

The Deputy President made a compelling case for prioritising youth perspectives, warning that when leaders make poor decisions, it is the youth who face the heaviest consequences, given their longer lifespans and fewer fallback options.

“Young people have a bigger stake in our country’s stability and progress. Why? Because they have a longer lifespan ahead of them than the older people,” he explained.