Tigania West Member of Parliament Dr John Mutunga has dismissed critics accusing him of doing little to empower the youth, saying such claims ignore the development projects his office has undertaken across the constituency.
Speaking during the launch of his three-year scorecard, which was attended by Water, Irrigation and Sanitation Cabinet Secretary Eng. Erick Mugaa, the legislator said some people had been spreading propaganda about his leadership despite the visible development initiatives targeting young people.
“There is a lot of propaganda out there regarding the work we are doing. First let me ask you, when we construct good roads, who rides motorcycles on them, is it you the elderly or it’s the youth?” asked Dr Mutunga.
Tigania West Member of Parliament Dr John Mutunga. Photo by Brian Gitonga
Mutunga said improved road networks have opened up opportunities for young people who rely on boda boda transport as a source of livelihood. He noted that , better roads make it easier for the riders to operate, move goods and access different parts of the constituency, which ultimately benefits the youth who dominate the sector.
The MP also pointed to electricity connectivity as another development that has directly supported young people in Tigania West. He noted that access to electricity has enabled many youth to operate businesses and stay connected through their mobile phones and other gadgets.
“When we connect electricity to households, who mostly uses the electricity to charge their phones? How then can someone claim we are not empowering the youth?” posed Dr Mutunga
Tigania West Member of Parliament Dr John Mutunga addresses the residents during the launch. Photo by Brian Gitonga
Mutunga said electricity has also supported the growth of small businesses run by young people, including barber shops, salons and welding workshops that rely heavily on power to operate. He noted that many youth in the constituency are engaged in these trades and depend on electricity to sustain their livelihoods.
“Most of the youth are working in industries that largely depend on electricity. That is why I appeal to you to speak to the youth so their eyes can open and they see the work we are doing,” said Dr Mutunga.
Beyond infrastructure, Mutunga said his office has also invested in sports as a way of empowering young people and nurturing talent within the constituency. He said dozens of teams have benefited from sporting equipment provided through his office.
“Last year I bought uniforms for about 39 clubs, 90 rugby balls and 170 footballs. We also supported 60 boda boda groups through harambees where each group received KSh 102,500,” said Dr Mutunga.
He said the support was meant to help young people remain active in sports while also strengthening community-based groups that provide income opportunities for many youth.
A section of residents keenly follows the launch.Photo by Brian Gitonga.
The MP further noted that his office has also extended support to persons living with disabilities in the constituency through the provision of wheelchairs and hearing aids.
Mutunga also spoke about efforts to improve security infrastructure in Tigania West, saying the situation he found when he assumed office showed the need for urgent intervention.
“When I became MP for Tigania West, I found the constituency having only eleven offices. Out of the chiefs, four didn’t have offices and none of the assistant chiefs had offices. We have built several and we are now remaining with only seven to complete,” he said.
He explained that the lack of offices for chiefs and assistant chiefs had affected their ability to effectively serve residents and coordinate security matters in their areas of jurisdiction.
According to the MP, constructing the offices was part of broader efforts to strengthen administrative structures and improve service delivery at the grassroots.
Mutunga urged the residents not to be misled by claims that no development is taking place in Tigania West, saying the projects being implemented across the constituency speak for themselves.
