Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki on Wednesday, May 28 urged the younger generation (Gen Zs) to respect authority.

Speaking during the National Prayer Breakfast at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, Prof. Kindiki lauded the guest speaker for a well-timed sermon. During his keynote address, former NFL Star and motivational speaker Rickey Allen Bolden had encouraged the country’s leadership to rebuild its relationship with Gen Zs.

“Gen Zs are dying to be loved. They are dying for a seat on the table. They are dying to be respected. Some of our Gen Zs are smarter that we are. They have grown up, and we should treat them like adults,” Bolden made a rallying call. “I want to challenge Kenya. When we talk about rebuilding relationships, the question is, how do we rebuild our relationship with our Gen Zs? Because they love us, they care for us and they respect us, but they don’t feel respected.”

On his part, Prof Kindiki acknowledged that indeed the older generation needed to treat the young generation with respect.

“As older people, we need to treat our children — who are now adults — a little more respectfully, listen to them. And where we go wrong there is no harm in acknowledging,” Prof. Kindiki said.

However, the second in command was quick to point out that young people must also be willing to accord the older generation and authorities mutual respect.

“However, equally we respectfully request our children to respect authority, and also agree to be mentored and supported so that mutually, they respect older people,” he added.

The Annual Prayer Breakfast is an inter-denominational prayer meeting organised by Members of Parliament and brings together various leaders from across the country and beyond.

The 2025 Annual Prayer Breakfast is being held under the theme “Rise and Rebuild.”