In a major boost, youths drawn from 11 Mt Kenya counties iand Nairobi are upbeat that Azimio La Umoja Presidential hopeful Raila Odinga will win with a landslide in the region in upcoming August 9 general election.
As the former Prime Minister plans to launch his presidential bid in Thika this Saturday, over 30 youth groups have vowed to mobilize their counterparts to attend the grand rally and listen to his development agenda for the region.
This is contrary to the past elections where the region has been hostile to Raila’s bid to woo the region. Raila has pledged to strengthen the private sector in a bid to create more employment opportunities for the youth in the region.
Going by the number of youth groups that have vowed to support Raila it appears his development agenda for the region is gaining traction especially his pledge to create a youth fund to enable the young people borrow money and repay after 7 years.
On Tuesday when he met youth from Mt. Kenya region, the former premier claimed that the ailing economy in the country is as a result of untapped potential in the private sector promising to seal corruption loopholes to help drive the country’s economy.
As of Friday 14 over 30 youth group have posted on their various social media pages on their pledge to support Raila’s presidential quest.
Under the umbrella of Azimio La Vijana the youths have now called on Mt Kenya political leaders to support Odinga in what they termed as a sure bet of victory in the August polls.
Led by the chairman of Mt Kenya Colleges and Universities Students Association Steve Chege said that for the country to enjoy peaceful coexistence they have thrown their weight behind Odinga as he has the national outlook.
“We have resolved to make a bold decision to join the revolutionary Azimio La Umoja Movement where 95% of our political leaders are headed. We are not going to gamble with our votes but deliver them to somebody we can entrust with our future as the youth,” he said.
Speaking in Ruaka, Kiambu the youths who were accompanied by Youth Peace Ambassadors 2022 counterparts lauded President Uhuru Kenyatta and Odinga for their efforts to unite the country.
“The former prime minister has already pledged to reserve four cabinet posts for the youth in his government and many more youth-oriented programmes. This has endeared most youths in the region to join the Azimio movement,” Chege said
Chege stated that the caucus dubbed Azimio La Vijana will participate in the Saturday Thika rally and will mobilize many youths to join the Azimio La Umoja train ahead of the August polls.
“We welcome the former Prime Minister with open arms to come and address us and give us his manifesto on what intends to do for our beloved country. He is also coming to give us a message of peace and unity of purpose,” Chege said.
The youth caucus took a swipe at Mt Kenya leaders who they said are out to auction the Mt Kenya region to the highest bidder. They also castigated Mt Kenya leaders who have been attacking President Kenyatta yet he has done a lot for the region.
“If there is no peace in the country it is the youth and our future that will be affected since we cannot hold fruitful conversations amongst. We call upon our political leaders to put the interests of the region first before their personal interests. I believe Mr Odinga’s Marshall Plan fits the bill,” said Angel Mbuthia of Youth Peace Ambassadors 2022.
Angel said they have been drawn to Odinga’s Azimio since the former premier has prioritized the youth agenda in his expected government.
“We want the Mt Kenya region to participate fully in the government that will be structured next year, this will give us as a region a full share of the national cake,” he said.
Chege called on all presidential aspirants to take their campaigns to the Mt Kenya region without fear and warned those planning to radicalize the youths to desist.
“The Azimio train to State House captures the dreams and ambitions of delusioned young Kenyans who are yearning for change,” she
She pointed out that Azimio promises to embolden social enterprise, create youth ventures at rural and urban level, offer equal opportunities to all and above all seal corruption loopholes which means as a nation we can have more money for development.
