Nakuru Town East Member of Parliament David Gikaria is up in arms against youths in Nakuru County, saying majority of them want everything chewed for them to swallow.
Speaking on the side lines of the gala night marking the end of the week long County Youth Week at the Nakuru performers’ theatre, the legislator downplayed complains that youths were not being supported, saying it takes a personal initiative to have individual goals realised.
Gikaria took the opportunity to congratulate Governor Kinuthia Mbugua of his underlining efforts to transform the county, bearing in mind how the two have had a rough political path, clashing in ideas at public functions.
The MP noted that the County was saturated with opportunities which if well utilised can help bridge youth unemployment crisis.
“Show anybody concerned that you are willing and they will hold your hand and show you the right path, don’t just be on the receiving end, it discourages someone willing to offer any help,” Gikaria said.
“I help you draft proposals, get funding, propose desirable projects to indulge in and you still sit there waiting for me to come from Nairobi to do a final budgetary allocation for the project,” he coughed.
He gave an example of how youths had ignored his efforts to work with them at his constituency office, something he says makes him feel sorry for the number of young people engaging in crime and drug abuse.
“I formed a youth wing at my constituency offices to specifically deal with youth issues, help them register companies, apply for tenders and apply for government funds but the response has been almost zero. What is the implication of that?" wondered the lawmaker.
He encouraged the youth not to visualise only having white collar jobs, saying that thinking out of the box offers an alternative as one awaits formal employment.
He gave an example of a group in his backyard who engages in music, body building and deejaying, which according to him is a living example of how talent, coupled with the right mentality can take anybody places.
The leaders vowed to incorporate the youth in the development agendas so that they feel part of the system as they prepare to take up leadership positions.