BY SHABAN OMAR
Kenya Kwanza leaders have issued a stern warning to the youth and the general public against being manipulated to engage in violence through demonstrations that lack merit.
Led by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, the leaders cautioned the youth against taking part in the planned Saba Saba demonstrations scheduled for tomorrow.
Speaking during a fundraising event for women and small-scale traders in Msambweni, Kwale County, Wetang’ula urged Kenyans to remain united and avoid divisive politics based on ethnicity and hatred.
He said that while the Constitution provides for the right to protest, such rights should not be misused to destabilize the country or incite violence.
According to Wetang’ula, there are more constructive ways to address grievances than taking to the streets.
“Our country needs peace and unity, not destruction and division. I urge young people and Kenyans to reject being used as tools of chaos. Let us build our nation together,” he said.
The speaker also called on political leaders to act responsibly and avoid inciting their supporters into unlawful actions that could endanger lives or property.
He said divisive politics is like a cancer eating away at the economy and will do the country more harm than good.
Wetang’ula urged Kenyans to reject individuals whose only agenda is to sow division among the people.
He said that the Kenya Kwanza government, through its inclusive and broad-based initiatives, is committed to ensuring that no one is left behind in the country’s development agenda.
Wetang’ula cautioned citizens against being misled by self-serving leaders driven by hatred and personal interests, rather than the well-being of the nation.
President Ruto’s aide, Farouk Kibet, also called on Kenyans to reject tribal-based leadership and instead focus on development and supporting government initiatives.
Kibet said that the Kenya Kwanza administration is committed to empowering citizens through its bottom-up economic agenda, which prioritizes grassroots development and uplifting ordinary Kenyans.
He urged the public to ignore critics of the government’s efforts to support local women in business, saying such opposition is not only misplaced but also undermines progress.
“There are some tribalists claiming that helping women is wrong. Do you agree with them?” he said.
He said that individuals funding the demonstrations will be exposed and prosecuted in a court of law.
Kibet added that many of those behind the protests are remnants of the former regime, people who looted public resources and are now trying to destabilize the country to protect their interests.
Sports and Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya warned that continued unrest would not only cripple the economy but also endanger the very youth being misled into joining protests under false promises.
He strongly criticized those behind the planned demonstrations, insisting that the majority of Kenyans desire peace and stability, not chaos.
Mvurya said that Kenya is a country governed by the rule of law and democratic principles, and vowed that the government will not allow a few individuals to plunge the nation into turmoil.
“This country is built on law and order. We will not sit back and watch a handful of people attempt to burn it down,” he said.
Mvurya urged the youth to take advantage of government initiatives such as Kazi Mtaani, Kazi Majuu, and various digital empowerment programs to improve their lives, instead of allowing themselves to be exploited by self-serving politicians.
He said that the empowerment programs are designed to equip young people with skills, create employment opportunities, and foster self-reliance offering a better path forward than participating in disruptive political agendas.
Mining Cabinet Secretary Ali Joho also cautioned Kenyans against being drawn into conflicts that do not serve their interests, warning that such unrest is driven by selfish political agendas rather than the common good.
He urged citizens to remain vigilant and avoid being used as pawns in power struggles that offer no real benefit to ordinary people.
Majority Party Whip and South Mugirango MP Silvanus Osoro warned Kenyans that political unrest will not benefit them in any way.
He cautioned that any attempt to forcefully seize power could trigger a military intervention an outcome that would have devastating consequences for the entire nation, regardless of political affiliation.
Osoro urged the youth to steer clear of the Saba Saba demonstrations, saying they are being orchestrated to serve the interests of individuals who were once in power but have since lost political relevance.
“They are talking about Saba saba tomorrow, youth don’t allow yourselves to be misused,” he said.
Osoro stated that there is no such thing as a peaceful demonstration when people’s property and businesses are being destroyed in the process.
He warned that criminal elements could take advantage of the protests to cause chaos and terror.
Osoro further revealed that during previous demonstrations, firearms were stolen from police stations, and only a few have been recovered.
He expressed concern that the weapons, now potentially in the wrong hands, could be used to harm innocent civilians.
Kibwezi MP Mwengi Mutuse noted that Saba Saba was originally founded as a movement to fight for multiparty democracy and greater political freedoms.
He questioned the purpose of the planned demonstrations, asking what exactly people would be fighting for this time.
Mutuse said that there is no justification for violence, urging Kenyans to come together in unity and support the government’s development agenda for the benefit of all.
He said the country is governed by the rule of law, and anyone feeling aggrieved should follow the proper legal channels instead of resorting to shortcuts or unlawful means.
Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani also urged residents to keep off the planned demonstrations, saying they stand to gain nothing from participating in such unrest.
She emphasized that the people of Kwale deserve leaders who are focused on development and improving lives, not those inciting protests for selfish political reasons.
Achani added that those pushing for the demonstrations have nothing meaningful to offer the people of Kwale.
She praised President Ruto’s administration, saying it has uplifted many from poverty and is committed to transforming lives through inclusive development programs
