Orange Democratic Movement Communication Director Philip Etale has called on young Kenyans and party supporters to pursue political change through the ballot instead of the streets, saying lasting reform can only be achieved through peaceful and lawful means.
Speaking during an interview on Radio Generation on Wednesday, Etale urged the youth to embrace responsible civic action and hold leaders to account through elections rather than violent protests.
He said while many young people are driven by genuine concerns, the cost of confrontational demonstrations is often too high.
Drawing from his own experience, Etale spoke about the deep physical and emotional pain he endured during past anti government protests. He linked his health struggles to repeated exposure to tear gas during demonstrations, saying the impact stayed with him long after the protests ended.
In 2021, he was admitted to hospital for 31 days after contracting COVID 19. He spent 10 of those days in the Intensive Care Unit and said he came close to losing his life.
“Even doctors were telling me we are surprised you came out. One doctor told me, ‘You're the only one who came out alive, because the people you were with in the ICU… all of them went.’ My lungs were perforated up to around 70 percent. Eating tear gas, inhaling that tear gas, had replication into my lungs,” he explained.
Etale also recalled a tense moment during a protest when Raila Odinga’s vehicle was attacked. He said tear gas was thrown into the vehicle he was travelling in, and the doors failed to open immediately, trapping those inside for several minutes as smoke filled the car.
“You could imagine, you could see the smoke. My friend, I cannot go back to the streets,” he said, underscoring the danger protesters face during such confrontations.
He cautioned young people against repeating what he described as painful lessons from the past. According to him, protests that turn violent not only expose participants to health risks but also lead to loss of life.
“Those who want to go back to the streets to eat tear gas, what's your call? But let me tell you, we need to focus as a nation, as a people. Some tear gas comes with consequences. There are people who lost lives. Should we continue losing lives?” Etale asked.
He urged Kenyans to reflect on how best to bring change, posing a direct question about the country’s path forward.
“Can we get change in this country through bullet, or ballot? Let's check on leadership through the ballot and vote,” Etale urged, appealing for unity, patience, and peaceful engagement in shaping Kenya’s political future.
