NAIROBI, Kenya Mar 5 – Presidential hopeful Fred Matiang\u2019i has called for stronger efforts to fight corruption and promote meritocracy in Kenya, warning that the two issues remain major barriers to the country\u2019s progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking during a lecture at Chatham House in the United Kingdom on Thursday, Matiang\u2019i said Kenya must embrace transparency, accountability and fair opportunities if it wants to unlock its full potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Addressing Kenyan diaspora members, investors, scholars and friends of Kenya, Matiang\u2019i said the country must urgently build systems that reward talent, integrity and hard work rather than political connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe must focus on meritocracy and transparency in the management of public service,\u201d he said, noting that corruption continues to slow down development and weaken public institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the lecture, Matiang\u2019i also reflected on the 2024 Gen Z demonstrations, describing them as a turning point in Kenya\u2019s democratic journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to him, the protests presented an important opportunity for leaders in the executive and the legislature to rethink how they engage young people in governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, he said the moment did not lead to the level of reforms many young Kenyans had hoped for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Matiang\u2019i stressed that the country must open more space for youth participation and create policies that empower young people economically and politically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYoung people are one of Kenya\u2019s greatest national assets,\u201d he said, adding that failing to include them in decision-making could hurt the country\u2019s long-term growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Matiang\u2019i also called for honest national reflection on governance failures that have slowed Kenya\u2019s development over the years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to him, building a stronger country will require deliberate policies that promote transparency in public service and create real opportunities for the youth.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Fred Matiang\u2019i says corruption and lack of meritocracy are holding Kenya back, urging leaders to embrace transparency and empower the country\u2019s youth.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13976,"featured_media":795751,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,4625,26],"tags":[8168,1981,24996,491],"coauthors":[1753],"class_list":["post-795749","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kenya","category-national-news","category-top-stories","tag-chatham-house","tag-featured","tag-fred-matiangi-3","tag-kenya"],"yoast_head":"\n