‘Stop treating youth as pawns and start recognizing them as stakeholders’ – Jubilee Party’s Kioni warns leaders

Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni on Saturday, December 28, 2024, sounded a warning to legislators dismissing concerns raised by the youth in the country.

In a statement, Kioni reprimanded a section of the lawmakers who he argued were perpetuating a narrative that the young people holding the government accountable were not well brought up.

The former Ndaragwa Member of Parliament added that the same political class are the ones who use young people as the cornerstone of their campaigns.

“Ah, the delicate dance of politics, where the youth transform miraculously depending on the narrative of the day. One moment, they are the “bright future of our nation,” the cornerstone of every campaign slogan. The next, they’re dismissed as “troublemakers,” “misguided,” or, my personal favourite, “products of poor upbringing” when they dare to hold leadership accountable,” Kioni’s statement read in part.

While warning them about being drunk with power, Jeremiah Kioni warned the leaders that the said wayward youth will have a say during the 2027 General Election.

Consider their input

While reprimanding those dismissing their concerns blanketly, Kioni appealed to the lawmakers to start factoring their concerns. He went to remind them that they serve at the pleasure of the people.

“The ballot box looms, and those “mannerless” youth will have their say soon enough. Perhaps it’s time to stop treating them as pawns and start recognizing them as stakeholders in the future we’re merely borrowing from them. After all, leaders serve at the pleasure of the people, all the people,” Kioni added.

He closed his statement by calling an end to the recent spate of abductions reported in the country.

So far, satirist Kibet Bull, Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti and Bernard Kavuli are among those who have been reported missing but the police service distanced themselves from the cases.

However, on Friday, December 27, 2024, President William Ruto promised to intervene to end abductions in the country. Speaking in Homa Bay County, the Head of State challenged parents to also play their part in cultivating proper morals for their kids.

“I call upon all parents to take care of their children,” he said with several other leaders echoing his sentiments.

“As for the reports about abductions, we will bring them to a stop. We want to ensure that the Kenyan youth stay in peace and with discipline so that we can build the nation together,” Ruto announced.

Ah, the delicate dance of politics, where the youth transform miraculously depending on the narrative of the day. One moment, they are the “bright future of our nation,” the cornerstone of every campaign slogan. The next, they’re dismissed as “troublemakers,” “misguided,” or, my…

— Hon. Jeremiah Kioni (@HonKioni) December 28, 2024