Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has urged young people in Kenya and across Eastern Africa to reject violence, tribalism and divisive politics, warning that political interests should not be allowed to undermine the region’s long-term peace and stability.

Mudavadi, who is also Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, spoke on Tuesday while representing president William Ruto at the 21st Plenary Assembly of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Nairobi.

He said Kenya welcomed the Assembly’s focus on youth mentorship, peacebuilding and governance, noting that the themes reflected some of the most pressing social, political and pastoral challenges facing the region.

“The special focus of this year’s Plenary Assembly on youth mentorship, peacebuilding and governance reinforces our collective efforts to empower young people, promote good governance and advance peace and security in the region,” Mudavadi said.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary said persistent conflicts across Africa continued to claim lives, displace communities and deny millions of children access to education.

According to figures cited by Mudavadi, violent conflicts in the East and Horn of Africa have displaced more than 20 million people.

He also pointed to the impact of conflict and climate-related emergencies on education, saying millions of African children remained out of school.

“The United Nations estimates that as of June 2026, approximately 118 million children in Africa were out of school, largely due to violent conflict and climate change emergencies,” he said.

Mudavadi singled out Sudan as one of the most severe humanitarian crises facing the continent, saying about 14 million people had been displaced since fighting erupted in April 2023.

He said the conflict had severely disrupted the country's education system, with nearly half of schools no longer operational and about 13 million children affected.

“This has put the future of an entire generation at risk,” Mudavadi said.

He said Kenya would continue supporting regional peace and security efforts while pursuing equitable development and expanding opportunities for young people.

Mudavadi said the government regarded youth participation as critical to political stability, economic development and peacebuilding, welcoming AMECEA’s decision to place mentorship at the centre of its 2026 discussions.

He challenged young people not to allow themselves to be manipulated into political violence or ethnic confrontation, particularly during periods of heightened political competition.

“I call upon our young people in Kenya and across the region to reject violence, divisive politics and tribalism. No young and promising life should be sacrificed for political expediency,” he said.

“Elections will come and go, but our nation’s unity, stability and future must endure for generations to come.”

The AMECEA Plenary Assembly brings together Catholic bishops and Church leaders from Eastern Africa to deliberate on pastoral, social and governance issues affecting communities across the region.

Follow our social media pages for breaking news updates, in-depth stories and videos.

news@nairobilens.ke