Kisii Governor Hon James Ongwae will have difficult times in choosing his running mate in 2017 polls if the message given by a section of youth from the region is taken seriously.
Ongwae is currently Deputised by Dr Joash Maangi who hails from the larger Bomachoge clan but recent developments in the county have indicated the deputy is not comfortable with a section of ODM MCAs in the assembly who had threatened to ouster him on allegations that he was closely working with Jubilee government.
However, the Monday morning meeting chaired by youthful Nyaribari Masaba politician, Laban Chweya at his Kiamokama home, resolved to compel Ongwae to select a youthful person to deputise him and also declared an interest in fronting another youthful candidate for the Senatorial seat.
“As the youth, we have to be crystal clear that we are the majority, and hence deserve better representation in the county government. We want the Governor to declare his support for us by choosing one of our own to deputise him in 2017. He has to do that if he is thinking of recapturing the seat,” Chweya said.
According to them, the two senior positions would satisfy their quest for equal representation in matters of governance and said they would supporting a youthful candidate for gubernatorial election if he (Ongwae) failed to heed their call.
“He is either with us or against us. We are already settled on a youthful candidate for senatorial position (currently held by Chris Obure) and the Deputy Governor slot will be fine for us. It’s time to focus and believe on youth leadership,” he added.
The outfit is also planning to drum support for a number of youthful candidates for the MCA and MP positions in their bid to make the voice of the youth be heard.