American pastor and former NFL offensive lineman Rickey Bolden has urged Kenyan leaders to apologize to Gen-Zs for the arrests and internet shutdown during the June 2024 anti-Finance Bill demonstrations.
Speaking during the National Prayer Breakfast on Wednesday, May 28, Bolden highlighted the psychological toll that the state’s response may have inflicted on the youth.
“Wouldn’t it be beautiful if leaders stand up and say to our Gen Zs, ‘We had you arrested and we know that had to be traumatising, we are sorry. We shut down the internet, and we know that that’s your primary source of communication, we are sorry'," he said.
Bolden went further to advocate for a change in how the youth are treated by those in power, calling for inclusion and recognition of their role in shaping the nation's future.
"Tell them, 'now we want to bring you to the table so that you can have a voice because you are no longer a child; you are an adult, and we want to begin treating you like an adult,” he added.
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President William Ruto led fellow leaders at the 22nd National Prayer Breakfast held at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi.
The event was also attended by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, First Lady Rachel Ruto, Second Lady Joyce Kithure, and Chief Justice Martha Koome.
A highlight from the event was Dagoretti North Member of Parliament Beatrice Elachi's prayer, which has sparked a debate online.
In her prayer, Elachi asked God to intervene in what she termed as an evil spirit behind the abuse of social media in the country.
“Father, we pray that this social media has decided to run our country. That spirit, our Father in heaven, we want to confess as the legislature that indeed we must sort out that sector.
“Father, we shall have the courage to stand and believe what is good for our country, generation, and the future of Kenya. Father, forgive us,” Elachi prayed.
Elachi went on to ask for forgiveness from God, saying leaders have left the young generation helpless.
“We pray for forgiveness. We have comprised ourselves, Father. We have left our young people in helplessness, gambling, and pornography. Father, it is we to change the laws," she added.
