MP Njeri Maina urges global support for Kenya’s youth ahead of 2027 elections

Addressing Kenyans in the diaspora in Seattle, Maina highlighted the ongoing challenges facing young protesters in Kenya, noting that hundreds were arrested following the June 25th, 2025 protest marking the anniversary of the 2024 Finance Bill unrest.

“Many were charged with incitement, destruction of property, and even terrorism under the Prevention of Terrorism Act,” she said. “This is a deliberate strategy to deter dissent, lengthen detention, and stifle civic participation. Most of these young people are economically vulnerable and lack adequate legal defense.”

While acknowledging the power of protest as an expression of dissent, Maina emphasized that young Kenyans must also engage in electoral processes. “Registering to vote and participating as candidates is a fundamental step towards shaping governance, not merely resisting it,” she said.

She called on governments, human rights institutions, and international partners, including the United States, to demand protections for Kenyan youth and tie bilateral aid to human rights compliance. “There must be full-scale investigations into the misuse of counter-terrorism laws. Many young people have lost their lives, yet no one has been held accountable,” Maina stressed.

Although the government is reportedly establishing compensation mechanisms for victims, Maina insisted that justice must remain central. “Justice must be on the table so that the parents of young Kenyans who lost their lives can find some semblance of peace and closure,” she said.