Excluding youth from leadership fuels a crisis

Presidential independent candidate Jeremiah Nyagah(C), address members of the press on April 8, 2022, at ParkInn by Radisson Hotel in Westlands. [Edward Kiplimo,Standard]

When Kenya attained independence in 1963, some of our iconic leaders were youth below the age of 35. In 1963, Tom Mboya the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs was 33; Samuel Ayodo, the Minister for Local Government was also 33; Mwai Kibaki, Kanu’s Executive Officer was 32.

Nearly half of the other independence cabinet members were in their late thirties or early forties. Sixty years later, you will have to search long and hard to find a political leader of national stature 35 years.