Prime Cabinet Secretary and Minister for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, has issued a compelling call to Kenya's religious leaders, urging them to intensify their efforts in guiding the nation's youth through a landscape fraught with increasing global risks and complex moral challenges. Speaking at a meeting with the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya in Nairobi on Thursday, November 13, 2025, Mudavadi emphasized the indispensable role of faith-based institutions in shaping a resilient and ethically grounded generation.

The meeting, attended by prominent clerics including Bishop Geoffrey Njuguna of Deliverance Church International and SUPKEM Chairman Hassan Ole Naado, served as a platform for the government to underscore its reliance on religious bodies as key partners in national development and social cohesion. "Our religious leaders hold a unique and powerful responsibility to use the pulpits, mosques, temples, and other places of worship to speak a word of truth, hope, and transformation," Mudavadi stated, highlighting the extensive reach and influence of these institutions.

A Generation at a Crossroads

Mudavadi's appeal comes at a critical time for Kenya, a nation with a significant youth demographic. According to the 2019 census, individuals under the age of 35 constitute over 75% of the population. This demographic dividend, however, is shadowed by persistent socio-economic challenges, most notably high unemployment. Projections for 2025 indicate a youth unemployment rate that some analysts place as high as 67%, creating a fertile ground for disillusionment and vulnerability. The World Bank has also issued warnings about a global jobs crisis that disproportionately affects developing nations like Kenya, where the number of young people entering the workforce far outstrips the creation of new jobs.

These economic pressures are compounded by a range of external threats that Mudavadi's ministry is actively confronting. In his capacity as the nation's chief diplomat, he has repeatedly warned of the dangers of transnational organized crime, including human trafficking and recruitment into foreign conflicts. Recent government reports indicate that hundreds of young Kenyans have been lured by fraudulent online job offers into criminal syndicates in Southeast Asia or recruited to fight in conflicts such as the war in Ukraine. "We must stand together in shaping a society grounded in faith, integrity, and shared values," Mudavadi urged the clergy, framing their role as a vital line of defense against these exploitative forces.

The Clergy's Historical and Future Role

Religious institutions have historically played a pivotal role in Kenya's social and political fabric. From advocating for social justice and good governance during the pro-democracy movement of the 1990s to mediating in post-election conflicts, faith leaders have often served as the nation's moral compass. Their influence extends from urban centers to the most remote villages, making them powerful agents for community mobilization and value formation. Mudavadi's call to action seeks to harness this deep-seated influence to address contemporary challenges.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary specifically tasked the leaders with fostering intergenerational respect and mentorship. “I urged the clergy to use their institutions to nurture a God-fearing nation, one where the young respect their parents and elders, and the elders, in turn, mentor and guide the next generation with wisdom and compassion,” he remarked. This emphasis on values and mentorship is seen as a direct counter-narrative to the allure of radicalization and the moral ambiguities presented by unregulated digital spaces. In previous statements, Mudavadi has cautioned youth about their digital footprints, noting that foreign entities often scrutinize social media profiles before granting visas or opportunities, and that online misconduct can have severe real-world consequences.

A Collaborative National Effort

The government's engagement with the clergy is part of a broader strategy to create a multi-stakeholder approach to youth empowerment and national security. Mudavadi's ministry has been actively involved in creating safer labor migration pathways and has warned Kenyans to be wary of opportunities that seem too good to be true. The call for religious leaders to step up their guidance complements these policy efforts by addressing the foundational, value-based aspects of youth development.

As Kenya navigates a complex global environment, the collaboration between the state and faith-based organizations is being positioned as essential for building national resilience. The challenge lies in translating this high-level dialogue into tangible, community-level programs that can effectively reach and support vulnerable young people. The success of this initiative will depend on the sustained commitment of both the government and the diverse religious communities that form the bedrock of Kenyan society. The ultimate goal, as articulated by Mudavadi, is to ensure that Kenya's youth are not defined by the risks they face, but by the opportunities they can seize through integrity, purpose, and a strong moral compass.