Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has cautioned young Kenyans against electing politicians who thrive on anger, revenge and hate, urging them to look beyond leaders who win crowds by telling people what they want to hear.
Speaking to more than 6,000 youths attending the PAG Church National Conference in Nyang’ori, Vihiga County, Mudavadi challenged the youth to distinguish between leaders who are genuinely popular and those who use populist politics to gain public support without offering solutions to the country’s problems.
“There are leaders who will come to a forum like this and speak what pleases your ears so that you can clap and ululate, but outside the forum they are hoodwinking the people and cannot tolerate them beyond the podium,” Mudavadi stated on Friday.
Mudavadi said he and President William Ruto were pursuing what he described as mature politics by being honest about the issues facing the country rather than seeking applause from the public.
He asked the youth to carefully examine the character and intentions of politicians seeking their support, warning that some leaders could use anger and bitterness to gain political mileage.
“You will listen to them; they are angry, they are bitter, speak with vengeance and sound vindictive. They will not implement anything; they are only keen on spreading hate,” Mudavadi noted.
“Be careful so that we don’t elect such leaders. We should not surrender to such leaders,” he added.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary also urged young people aspiring to political office to understand that leadership is built over time through experience, relationships and investment in politics.
He compared political growth to the education system, saying nobody can simply skip the stages needed to gain the experience required for higher responsibilities.
“A child does not wake up one day and skip the classes. So is it in politics. You wake up one day and pretend that you want to be a national leader without building networks and investing in politics,” Mudavadi stated.
Mudavadi said young politicians should be prepared to work their way up instead of expecting immediate success.
“When you want to become a champion, you cannot do it like instant coffee. If you want to be a boxer, you train. The message to the young people is that there is a process to become a champion,” Mudavadi stated.
“We must come to terms that we must work hard. We don’t want the young people to work alone. They should take the counsel of those ahead of them,” he added.
He further encouraged young Kenyans to register as voters in large numbers, saying their participation in elections would help shape the country’s future.
Mudavadi defended the Ruto administration, arguing that the government had spread development projects across the country and should be given another term to finish projects already underway.
He pointed to major infrastructure investments in Western Kenya, including the Nairobi-Malaba highway, as an example of what he said was the government’s commitment to developing the region.
“We have only heard and seen a dual carriageway in Thika and Mount Kenya. Today, a major one, the Nairobi-Malaba dual carriageway, is cutting through the Western region. We deserve it, and it will open our economy,” Mudavadi stated.
Turning to the country’s young population, Mudavadi praised the energy and enthusiasm of the youth, saying their presence was important to the country’s future.
“There are countries which are ageing societies and do not renew fast. Having young people is God’s way of ensuring that we shall be renewed,” he stated.
He said the government had invested Sh780 billion in education, describing the allocation as proof of its focus on building a highly educated young population.
“This is the first government that has invested such a huge sum of over 20 per cent in education. The government is determined to ensure we have an educated youth population,” Mudavadi stated.
However, Mudavadi also raised concern over rising HIV infections among young people, particularly in Western Kenya.
“Kenya has fought the problem of HIV and AIDS. As we stand now, Kenya remains number seven globally. The majority are young. The new infections are young people between 18 and 35 years,” Mudavadi remarked.
He said data from authoritative sources showed that Western Kenya had the highest burden of HIV, while Mandera had the lowest.
Mudavadi claimed Kenya was losing about 20,000 people to the disease every year and urged young people to make choices that would protect their future.
With the 2027 General Election approaching, he also called on the youth to protect peace and support a democratic electoral process.
“Kenya shall have a free and fair election. We want him to win through a democratic process. That is what we stand for,” Mudavadi stated.