Two Killed as Unemployed Youths Clash with Police in Busia

On Tuesday, February 20, two young men were tragically killed in Marachi, Busia, during a clash with the police.

The incident occurred during a protest by a group of unemployed youth known as the Marachi Jobless Youths, who were expressing their grievances against Busia Governor Paul Otuoma. The youths accused the governor of disregarding their challenges, including the high unemployment rate. This confrontation marked the third consecutive day of clashes, prompting intervention from County Commissioner Mwachaunga Chaunga. The youths had been warned against disrupting the peace and interfering with business operations in the area.

In their defence, the youths claimed that the governor had failed to fulfil his duties and had violated the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding between them. Residents also alleged that the governor had excluded them from important government meetings and the allocation of trading kiosks in Busia town. "Our kiosks were demolished with the promise of modern shops being built for us," said one resident. "Instead, he is granting and selling these spaces to wealthy individuals in the area."

One injured youth arrived at the hospital with severe gunshot wounds but was taken away by the police before receiving medical attention. His whereabouts remain unknown. According to media reports, two vehicles arrived at the hospital and took him away. The youth's family has not had any contact with him since then.

County Commissioner Mwachaunga Chaunga has vowed to apprehend the 'wrongdoers' and assured the community that he would work with the police to increase security in the area. Chaunga emphasizes the importance of peaceful resolutions and discourages confrontations between the public and the government.

President William Ruto in January raised the alarm on Kenya's unemployment crisis, declaring it an existential threat to the nation's stability and future. He emphasizes the urgent need for collaboration amongst leaders across all branches of government to address this critical challenge. Renewing his previous calls, President Ruto specifically urged the judiciary to refrain from obstructing government initiatives designed to combat unemployment.

He highlighted the Affordable Housing Project which aims to create millions of job opportunities as a prime example. The youth, constituting roughly 80% of Kenya's total, bears the brunt of unemployment with statistics from the Youth Congress revealing that seven out of ten unemployed Kenyans are under the age of 35.