“Suddenly You’ve Become Clever”: Murkomen Slams Uhuru for Exploiting Youth Issues to Undermine Ruto Government

In a scathing political rebuke that has intensified the ongoing power struggle over Kenya’s youth agenda, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has accused former President Uhuru Kenyatta of opportunistically using young people’s challenges to attack the current administration.

“You were the president just the other day… But suddenly you’ve become very clever… Now you are the one giving us lectures,” Murkomen declared, taking direct aim at Kenyatta’s recent activism on youth issues since leaving office in 2022.

Speaking during a visit to Ukambani region, CS Murkomen suggested the former president’s newfound advocacy for youth empowerment was politically motivated rather than genuine concern.

“This exploitation of our young people is not right,” Murkomen insisted. “This is an issue that we must, all of us, act responsibly. Because the youth bulge is not a question of today. It’s been happening. But tomorrow also it’s going to be worse.”

The Cabinet Secretary’s comments follow Kenyatta’s recent fiery address at Makerere University in Uganda, where the former president urged young people across East Africa to demand better governance and resist political manipulation – remarks widely interpreted as criticism of President Ruto’s administration.

Murkomen’s Ukambani visit also revealed the Kenya Kwanza coalition’s continued courtship of opposition figures.

He extended a direct invitation to Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka to join President Ruto’s broad-based government, pointedly noting that ODM leaders who accepted government positions “were now reaping the benefits.”

“We can work together as Kenyans today as we plan elections tomorrow,” Murkomen stated. “This is a broad-based government and it’s as broad as possible… it can accommodate even the Wiper Party.”

The heated exchange highlights the intensifying battle for youth support in Kenya’s political landscape. Since the 2022 election that saw President Ruto defeat the Azimio coalition backed by Kenyatta, the country has witnessed growing youth activism culminating in protests that eventually led Ruto to form a more inclusive government incorporating some opposition members.

As Kenya’s “Gen Z movement” continues gaining political influence, both the ruling coalition and opposition figures appear determined to position themselves as the authentic champions of youth interests ahead of future electoral contests.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​