Former Interior PS under the Uhuru Kenyatta administration, Karanja Kibicho, issued a direct appeal to Kenya’s younger generations to take active responsibility in shaping the country’s future.
Through a Facebook post on Wednesday, February 18, Kibicho warned that if Millennials and Gen Z remain disengaged, the nation risks stagnation.
Identifying himself as a member of Gen X, Kibicho reflected on his generation’s role in Kenya’s political and social evolution, acknowledging both victories and compromises.
“Some battles we won, some we compromised, some we lost,” he wrote. “Every season shifts. This chapter belongs to Millennials. It also belongs to Gen Z.”
Addressing Millennials, Kibicho emphasized their critical influence as the workforce, the tax base, and the country’s decisive voting bloc.
He also highlighted the particular challenges facing Gen Z, including high living costs, limited entry-level employment opportunities, and fragile social safety nets.
“Stop waiting for Gen X to fix what affects you most,” he urged.
Kibicho stressed that meaningful reform cannot be imposed by one generation on another.
“History will not judge hashtags. It will judge courage,” he wrote, framing civic engagement as both a responsibility and an opportunity for young Kenyans to shape national policy and governance.
Kibicho’s call comes at a moment when youth engagement is increasingly central to Kenya’s political discourse.
Millennials and Gen Z now make up a significant portion of the electorate, and their participation—or lack thereof—could determine the trajectory of critical reforms in areas such as employment, economic policy, and social protection.
While social media activism has raised awareness of societal challenges, Kibicho underscored that change requires more than online engagement.
He urged young Kenyans to translate awareness into action, including voting, advocacy, and civic participation.
Concluding his message, Kibicho recognized the progress achieved so far but cautioned against complacency.
He challenged the youth to sustain momentum and take ownership of Kenya’s next chapter.