Former National Football League (NFL) star Rickey Bolden has called on Kenya’s leadership to apologise to Gen Zs, following the June 2024 anti-government protests that brought the nation to the brink.

The American preacher and motivational speaker, who headlined this year’s National Prayer Breakfast, said such an apology would be a key step toward rebuilding strained relations and trust between young Kenyans and the country’s leadership.

“When we talk about rebuilding relationships; wouldn’t it be beautiful if leaders would stand up and say to our Gen Zs, we had you arrested and we know that had to be traumatising and we are sorry? We shut down the internet, and we know that’s your primary source of communication and we are sorry. Now we want to bring you to the table so you can have  a voice,” said Bolden.

Dr. Rickey Bolden: Wouldn’t it be beautiful if the leaders said to the Gen Z-

“We had you arrested, and we are sorry.”#NationalPrayerBreakfast pic.twitter.com/Fm3BEJnIK6

— KTN News (@KTNNewsKE) May 28, 2025

Bolden drew a comparison between the feelings of Kenyan Gen Zs to those of Black Americans, who have long struggled with discrimination, due to their race. and a lack of a genuine apology for the legacy of slavery. That pain, he said, has persisted due to lack of a genuine apology for their painful history of slavery.

According to Bolden, Kenya’s youth are pushing back against a condescending leadership style that excludes them from decision-making despite being adults. 

“Gen Zs are crying for the right to be adults because they are. They have gone to college, they are buying their own houses and getting married. They are adults,” he said.

He added: “The question is; how do we begin to rebuild the relationship with our Gen Z-ers? They love, care for, and respect you. But they don’t feel respected,” he observed.

His keynote address, aligned with this year’s theme, ‘Rise and Rebuild,’ noted the importance of respecting and involving Gen Z in the country’s affairs. Many in this demographic have demanded to be treated as equal partners in national governance.

“I remember last year coming to the prayer breakfast and with my brother, Earl, we saw the frustration in the Gen Zs. They are dying to be loved, respected, and for a seat at the table,” he added. 

The 22nd National Prayer Breakfast was held on Wednesday, May 28, at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, after Parliament moved the date from May 29. 

The annual event is traditionally held on the last Thursday of May and serves as a platform for reconciliation among actors from various sectors.