Church leaders have cautioned politicians against manipulating young people to fuel acrimony and unrest as the country heads toward the 2027 General Elections. They urged leaders to invest instead in practical empowerment programmes that promote self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.
The warning was issued in Juja, Kiambu County, during the launch of the Munyiri Africa Foundation (MAF), where clerics expressed concern over the growing trend of jobless youths being used as tools for political mobilization.
Bishop David Munyiri Thagana of the GOA Church and Rev. Mishek Kimuri challenged politicians to abandon divisive rhetoric and focus on initiatives that equip young people with skills and opportunities to earn a living.
They emphasized that economic empowerment would reduce youth vulnerability to manipulation and strengthen democratic participation. Bishop Thagana urged young people to resist bribes and inducements during campaigns, saying:
“Don’t sell your future and your lives to politicians with bribes. It is high time youths in our country rise to the occasion and make informed and wise decisions by supporting visionary leaders who have the best interests of our country at heart,” Thagana said.
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The clerics warned that confrontational politics and public spats between rival factions are raising political temperatures and distorting peace. They pleaded with leaders to prioritize national unity and avoid utterances that could plunge the country into turmoil.
“We are witnessing heated exchanges between politicians of different political alliances, which is slowly creating animosity between their supporters. This is raising the country’s political temperatures and distorting peace. We are pleading with our politicians to avoid making utterances or engaging in political wars that would disrupt the country’s peace and tranquillity,” Thagana added.
In response, youths attending the event, led by Samuel Njoroge and Monica Wairimu, pledged to reject political misuse and instead champion initiatives that uplift their peers. They committed to promoting entrepreneurship, income-generating ventures, and mentorship programmes to strengthen responsible participation in the electoral process.
Wairimu noted that many young voters are easily swayed by handouts and empty promises, stressing the need for awareness campaigns. “We shall enlighten our peers on electing leaders who promote unity, equity, and opportunities for jobless youths,” she said. Njoroge added that registering as voters is critical to bringing about desired change.
The Munyiri Africa Foundation initiative aims to provide platforms for mentorship, economic empowerment, and leadership training. Bishop Thagana explained that MAF has rolled out programmes to train youth and SMEs in entrepreneurship and financial literacy, offering market linkages, business networking, and access to finance.
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He noted that most start-ups collapse within two years due to poor management and lack of mentorship, challenges MAF seeks to address. “We have started a movement of empowered businesses, dignified lives, and positive change. Our goal is to eradicate poverty by promoting sustainable enterprises and mentoring the next generation of leaders,” Thagana said.
The Bishop noted that youths have the potential to drive the country’s socio-economic growth if mentored and given the opportunity.
He emphasized the importance of empowering young people to take on entrepreneurship and leadership roles in order to shape the future.
By John Kamau
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