The National Youth Council (NYC) has distanced itself from reports linking it to calls for the resignation of Youth Affairs and Creative Economy Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs over the fatal shooting of youth mobiliser Cecil Ouma, insisting it has neither made nor supported such demands.
In a statement on Monday, NYC said it remains a non-partisan institution and has no authority to demand the removal of the Principal Secretary.
“We wish to categorically state that the National Youth Council is not a party to these allegations, nor have we sanctioned any calls for the removal of the Principal Secretary,” reads the statement.
It added that the reports do not reflect its official position and fall outside its mandate as a State corporation focused on youth empowerment.
“These reports are inconsistent with our mandate and do not reflect the position of this institution. We remain a non-partisan entity dedicated to the empowerment and welfare of all Kenyan youth,” it said.
NYC emphasised that matters involving public officers must follow established legal procedures and due process, noting that it does not have the legal mandate to demand resignations.
“As a responsible State Corporation, we respect the rule of law and the due process afforded to all public officers. We believe that any grievances or accusations regarding the conduct of a public official should follow the established legal and procedural frameworks. NYC has no authority to demand the resignation of the Principal Secretary, nor do we intend to venture into matters that fall outside our statutory mandate,” it said.
The Council also expressed concern over what it termed false and unverified media reports, warning that such information could harm public trust and fuel unnecessary tension.
It further warned that spreading unverified claims risks undermining peace and stability.
NYC urged media organisations to verify information before publishing and called on stakeholders to promote responsible and factual communication.
“We therefore urge media houses to exercise greater diligence in verifying facts before publication. We respectfully ask the involved outlets to desist from spreading misinformation, particularly when it touches on the reputation of public institutions and their officers. We encourage all stakeholders, including the media, civil society, and the public, to engage in constructive dialogue that is rooted in factual accuracy and mutual respect,” reads the statement.
The clarification comes amid ongoing investigations into the death of Ouma, who was allegedly shot on June 30 inside a vehicle linked to PS Fikirini following a youth engagement forum in Kariokor, Nairobi.
Police say Ouma was last seen alive after entering the official vehicle after the event, before chaos erupted involving a group of about 100 youths who reportedly demanded handouts.
During the incident, the crowd allegedly surrounded the vehicle along Dr Griffin Road, forcing open doors as it attempted to drive away. Valuables, including two Nokia mobile phones belonging to members of the security team, were reportedly stolen, while the vehicle’s rear windscreen was smashed with stones.
Officers attached to the PS’s security detail fired warning shots into the air to disperse the crowd before reinforcement arrived and restored order. The Principal Secretary was later escorted to safety by police.
Ouma, a 28-year-old former student of TUK University and youth leader in Imara Ward, was later found with gunshot wounds and rushed to Park Road Nursing Home, where he was pronounced dead.
A post-mortem examination conducted by government and family pathologists found that he died from a single gunshot wound to the chest, which caused severe internal injuries and heavy bleeding.
Police have since arrested one suspect as investigations continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting and identify those responsible.
The case has also drawn political reaction, with opposition leaders calling for accountability. People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua and Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Fred Matiang’i questioned how Ouma was shot while inside a vehicle linked to a senior government official and called for the PS to step aside during investigations.
Police investigations into the incident are ongoing, with officers continuing to record statements and examine forensic evidence.
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