Musalia Mudavadi warns Kenyan youth against crossing border for protests
Mudavadi, who also serves as the Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary, emphasised that freedoms enjoyed in Kenya do not automatically apply in other countries.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has urged young Kenyans to think twice before joining protests outside the country, warning that doing so could put them at risk of breaking the law.
His remarks come amid reports of youths attempting to cross into Tanzania to participate in demonstrations after a disputed election.
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Mudavadi, who also serves as the Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary, emphasised that freedoms enjoyed in Kenya do not automatically apply in other countries.
“You may not like the laws of other countries, but respect them. Kenya has made significant strides democratically and constitutionally, entrenching freedoms and rights. Our Bill of Rights is strong, but don’t assume that everyone is on the same path,” he said in a video statement, without naming Tanzania.
He added that each country has its own legal and democratic framework and encouraged Kenyan youth to exercise caution.
“Other nations are at different stages of that journey. I encourage our young people to be cautious.” This marks the second time he has spoken publicly against “exporting” protests beyond Kenya’s borders.
The warning follows video footage and reports showing police officers at the Namanga and Sirare border points trying to prevent groups of Kenyans from entering Tanzania.
In one widely circulated clip, a police officer is seen pleading with young people to avoid trouble and return home safely.
Mudavadi also stressed that how young people behave online can influence their travel prospects.
“Other countries are reviewing your digital footprint before issuing visas. They are sovereign nations with their own laws. You cannot export Kenyan laws to another jurisdiction. This is a lesson.
It’s basic, but we must stop refusing to acknowledge it,” he said, urging youth to be responsible when using social media.
He further cautioned Kenyans against falling for false job offers abroad, citing incidents where youth were stranded in the Middle East and Russia after being misled.
“Some unscrupulous recruiters lured young Kenyans with promises of well-paying jobs in Russia. It turned out they were duped and ended up in difficult situations,” Mudavadi said, highlighting the risks of blindly trusting offers from overseas.
The PSC’s message comes as part of broader efforts to protect Kenyan citizens from legal and personal dangers when travelling abroad.
He encouraged all young people to follow official procedures for work and travel, and to remain aware that other nations have different laws and regulations that must be respected.
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