ICT Cabinet Secretary Joseph Mucheru has challenged the youth to come out and seek elective positions.
The CS who spoke during the National Student Convention on Youth at Mabera Technical Vocational College in Kuria West, Migori County said this move will enable the youth make meaningful gains for themselves and the country.
The CS urged the young people in the country to take advantage of their numbers to make a difference for themselves rather than being used by few individuals.
“You have the largest stake in this country as you constitute 75.1 per cent of our population. Use this weapon to make changes in the leadership pattern,” he added.
According to 2019 census statistics, youths were the majority commanding 75 percent of the Kenyan population.
This however, does not replicate in the election’s registration figures, as half of this population are eligible but not listed as voters.
A majority of youths, in campuses and vocational colleges countrywide, are often left out during voter registration processes.
In Kenya after elections, youths tend to suffer the most when violence occurs as they are used to settle political scores. Mucheru noted that this must stop adding that the safety and security of the country was an important aspect bigger than an individual.
“In the past, youths have been used to settle political scores, and this must stop,” said Mucheru.
One of the key initiatives he noted was the commencement of the Kenya Youth Empowerment Opportunity Programme (KYEOP) and Ajira that aims to increase earnings opportunity and create links to youths in terms of job markets.
The event was organized by the Universities and Colleges Students’ Peace Association of Kenya (UCSPAK) and funded by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), an organization backing for the role the youth play in the nation-building.