Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has called on Kenyan youth to preserve the integrity of their peaceful demonstrations by firmly rejecting criminal elements seeking to exploit the protests for violence and destruction.
Speaking during a visit to the Ngong Veg Farm and Processing Facility in Kajiado County, Kagwe acknowledged the constitutional right to protest but cautioned that continued unrest, if hijacked by destructive forces, could have serious consequences for the economy particularly the job market that young people are fighting to improve.
“This is our country,” Kagwe said passionately. “We must protect it from those who seek to undermine it. When peaceful protests are infiltrated by criminals, it’s not just infrastructure that’s destroyed it’s Kenya’s reputation, investor confidence, and ultimately, the job prospects of our youth that are put at risk.”
He stressed that the image of instability being relayed to the global community could deter much-needed foreign investment. Worse still, he warned, such capital may be diverted to other more stable though less democratic nations, narrowing economic opportunities, especially in agriculture, which remains one of Kenya’s top employment sectors.
Highlighting the potential of agribusiness, Kagwe pointed to Ngong Veg as a success story. The facility, which employs over 5,000 people, is a model of how targeted investment and sector growth can fuel employment and enhance national food security.
Ngong Veg has benefited from support by the Agriculture Finance Corporation (AFC), whose officials joined the CS during the tour. The funding has enabled the farm to expand operations, improve productivity, and create thousands of jobs demonstrating the tangible benefits that economic stability and investment can deliver.
Kagwe concluded by urging young people to stand firm against those who would compromise their cause, reminding them that progress must be anchored in peace if it is to be sustainable.
