Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has blamed the current youth unemployment crisis and economic struggles on poor planning by past leadership. Speaking in Meru during the launch of the Jukwaa La Usalama forum for the Upper Eastern region, Murkomen criticized former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s recent call for youth to rise up, saying such statements are misleading unless accompanied by an admission of past governance failures.
Murkomen argued that Kenya’s economic challenges stem from decades of neglect in expanding industrial and manufacturing sectors that would have created sustainable jobs. He said the Kenya Kwanza government is addressing these historical gaps through initiatives like the Affordable Housing programme, which aims to improve living conditions and stimulate job creation, especially for low-income earners.
He emphasized that solving these issues requires national sacrifice, including increased taxation and hard work, and warned against inciting youth for short-term political gains. Murkomen urged retired leaders to account for their time in office and support the current administration’s efforts instead of shifting blame.
