Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has called on the national government to pardon youth who participated in the recent nationwide protests.

Barasa urged authorities to facilitate the release of those detained in police cells and to provide bail for those already charged in court.

He further appealed to county governments to waive hospital bills for youth receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the demonstrations.

“I want to request the national government and security agencies to release the youth in custody. The government should also waive hospital bills for those injured so that they can fully participate in national dialogue. It is only through dialogue that we can address the issues affecting our country,” he said.

Speaking at the county headquarters, Governor Barasa backed ODM Leader Raila Odinga’s call for a national conclave to address youth concerns and promote national healing.

“I support my party leader Raila Odinga’s call for a generational conclave to create room for constructive dialogue with the youth,” he stated.

The governor also urged young people to uphold respect and refrain from abusing national and county leaders.

“It is important that we have this dialogue, as a county government, we are going to continuously engage our youths so that we can address their problems which include unemployment,” he noted.