Youth professionals in Eastern region have scoffed at members of parliament from Meru county who are courting leaders from Ukambani with the aim of countering Kenya Kwanza influence in the region.
Under the umbrella of the newly formed Eastern United Young Professionals (EUYP), they said it was premature to seek such alliances just a year after elections.
Martin Mworia Kiongozi, the group chairman told off the MPs led by county parliamentary caucus chairman Mugambi Rindikiri (Buuri), saying their scheme would fail.
“There is no way you can tell us to divorce from the same government we voted for overwhelmingly even before we knock doors seeking development. We will not allow a few selfish individuals to relegate us to the opposition,” Mr Mworia said in an interview.
After holding talks with their counterparts in Ukambani, Imenti North MP Rahim Dawood said they had made the decision after realizing that President William Ruto was taking them for granted.
The leaders have been complaining that the region was being relegated in terms of development despite supporting Dr Ruto in last year’s elections. Mr Dawood said they would work with leaders from other regions to lobby for development projects.
However, Mr Mworia who the Health Field Coordinator in Deputy Senate Speaker Kathuri Murungi’s office said his group will unite all leaders in the region to oppose such “retrogressive” politics.
“The youth don’t want to be dragged into politics likely to take us backwards. Once you vote in a government you must give it time to perform. During the first year Dr Ruto has set up structures. It is now time to work and not engaging in shenanigans and back-peddling. We will not entertain distractions by politicians who have no direction,” he added.
The group is planning a youth conference that will be held on January 6, 2024 with Mr Mworia as the convener, bringing together youth from Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Makueni, Kitui, Machakos, Isiolo and Marsabit.
“We will have 24 delegates, three from each of the eight counties in Upper and Lower Eastern region. We will also ensure women are well represented and our work will be to lobby for development and jobs for our young people,” he said.
He also affirmed the willingness of the caucus to partner with government agencies, NGOs and development partners for the benefit of the region and acknowledged the role of the church in mentoring the boy child.
Other group leaders from the region are drawn from the eight counties, with Jacob Nyanga who hails from Mbeere South Constituency, Kiambere ward representing Embu county.
Mr Nyaga emphasized the need to unify young professionals and guide them on how to apply for tenders, proposal writing, diaspora jobs, international student exchange programs and other opportunities in the public sector.
Mr Mworia thanked Senator Murungi for supporting talent and uniting young people through sports, education sponsorship and climate change mitigation through Kamashinani Foundation.
He also hailed Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki for his efforts to tackle insecurity in the country and particularly banditry which has been a menace especially in Igembe North. Currently, at least 200 National Police Reservists (NPR) are undergoing training and will be deployed in the region.
“We’re solidly behind Prof Kindiki and we believe he is taking us in the right direction. Our activities will bolster his efforts to combat alcoholism and drug abuse among the youth since those are some of the programmes we will be engaged in,” he added.
A Tifa Research report released on Wednesday ranked Prof Kindiki top among CSs with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi coming second, Ezekiel Machogu (Education) third while Susan Nakumicha (Health) and Kipchumba Murkomen (Transporting) took fourth and fifth positions respectively.
