Allexer Namundjembo
Landless People’s Movement (LPM) national council affiliate, William Minnie and Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) Youth League secretary general, Julia Nekwaya have accused the National Youth Council (NYC) interim board of political bias after a High Court order barred them and other protesters from entering the council’s premises.
The court order, issued on Monday evening, follows protests that began last week, culminating in NYC staff being forced out of their offices and the interim board being chased from its premises.
The order prohibits Minnie, Nekwaya, third respondent Jafet Amakali, and unnamed protesters from disrupting NYC operations, locking premises, or tampering with power supply.
Minnie, who represents a student organisation under the LPM, said he would comply with the order but criticised its implications.
“The court order is very simple. We understand the relief sought by the applicant that we must not intimidate members of staff, but the order does not say that as affiliates of the organisation, we are not allowed at the NYC. So what they are seeking is quite simple and understandable, and we have to respect that,” Minnie said.
He added that the listed respondents are affiliated with opposition parties, and none are from the ruling party.
Minnie described the move as political intimidation, accusing NYC of trying to paint opposition parties as adversaries.
“We will fully adhere to the order, but this will not be the last time the interim board hears from us. We have written a letter to both the President, the Vice President, and the Prime Minister, and I can put it on record that the affiliates are going to protest and hand over a petition to the youth minister, and we will proceed to the office of the Prime Minister. We must understand that we are not fighting the National Youth Council, but we are fighting for the National Youth Council,” Minnie added.
Nekwaya of PDM expressed similar concerns, stating she would comply with the court order while emphasising the need for fairness.
Julia, the Popular Democratic Movement’s Youth Secretary General, who is also listed as the second respondent in the court order, said that the interdict is simple and clear, and she will comply if the interim board also respects the rule Nisei issued in December. She said she respected the rule of law and would act within its confines.
Nekwaya said the NYC interim board is trying to suppress the opposition’s views.
“I personally feel that William Minnie and I were pinpointed because we are affiliates of opposition parties, and they are trying to silence us. However, one thing is certain: drastic change is needed for progress in society. We, the champions of change, need a healthy amount of madness to achieve our goals. The National Youth Council will serve its mandate as stipulated in the National Youth Council Act of 2009,” she said.
Nekwaya pointed to broader societal issues, drawing parallels with Kenyan youth protests sparked by economic hardships and political disillusionment.
“If it means becoming as drastic as the Kenyan youth, then so be it. We will not allow individuals who are not affected by the decisions they make to decide on our behalf.”
Last year, youth in Kenya witnessed a youth-led uprising driven by economic hardship, high unemployment, and disillusionment with the government.
Protests, particularly in urban centres like Nairobi, were fuelled by soaring living costs and widespread frustration with government corruption and unfulfilled promises.
Nekwaya said she has not yet met with her party representatives to discuss legal fees.
The National Youth Council has been experiencing a leadership crisis.
The NYC has faced numerous leadership challenges.
Last year, then-chairperson of the Human Resources, Remuneration, and Ethics Committee, Simon Taapopi, announced the suspension of Executive Director Calista Schwartz-Gowases amid allegations of misconduct.
The suspension was intended to allow disciplinary proceedings without interference.
