PS Omollo warns against misuse of youth for political gain
By Viola Kosome, April 18, 2026The Ministry of Interior and National Administration Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has cautioned leaders against the exploitation of young people for political gain.
Speaking on Saturday, April 18, 2026, the PS urged leaders to focus on empowerment, order, and productive engagement of the youth.
PS Omollo attended a wide-ranging engagement with boda boda leaders drawn from all seven constituencies of Kisumu County.
At the time, he emphasised the government’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the sector while safeguarding national security and livelihoods.
Omollo noted that the boda boda sector remains a critical pillar of Kenya’s economy, supporting millions of livelihoods and serving as a key last-mile transport system connecting communities to essential services and markets .
He underscored the need for structured engagement between operators and security agencies, including the National Police Service and National Government Administrative Officers, to enhance intelligence sharing and community safety.
Release of impounded bikes
In a move aimed at easing pressure on operators, the PS reaffirmed a government directive for the release of motorbikes impounded over petty offences, directing that the measure be implemented across the Nyanza region.
“For those who have been involved in petty offences, those motorbikes need to be released. I am here to confirm that the president’s commitment is being implemented. Serious offences will continue to be handled within the law and will not be excluded,” he said.
Omollo further stressed the importance of regulation within the sector, calling for mandatory registration, proper identification, valid driving licences, and insurance compliance to ensure order and professionalism.
He issued a firm warning against the use of boda boda operators for violence or political manipulation, urging the youth to resist being drawn into activities that could disrupt peace and stability.
“Once in a while, you will get instances where some leaders want to take advantage of this youth unemployment problem. My plea is to let us look at our youth as an important resource. We must say no to violence and reject any attempts to use riders for chaos or political agendas,” he cautioned.
Youth empowerment
On youth empowerment, the PS highlighted ongoing government initiatives such as affordable housing, digital jobs, and labour mobility programmes, saying they are designed to create sustainable opportunities for young people rather than expose them to exploitation.
“There is affordable housing employing more than 600,000 Kenyans. There are digital jobs and labour mobility programme that has over 400,000 Kenyans working outside the country. ” He said.
He also encouraged citizens to take advantage of services including registration under the Social Health Authority (SHA), free issuance of national IDs for first-time applicants, and participation in the ongoing voter registration exercise by the IEBC.
Omollo reiterated that while Kenyans have constitutional rights to assembly and expression, all public activities must be conducted within the law, including notifying police in advance.
“No one should feel threatened, and no one should intimidate others. We will protect rights while maintaining law and order,” he said.
The forum brought together representatives from 7 subcounties ;Kisumu East, Kisumu West, Kisumu Central, Seme, Nyando, Nyakach, and Muhoroni, and provided a platform for dialogue on challenges facing operators, including regulation, safety, and welfare.