Youth in Kibera Constituency have been urged to take advantage of their large numbers to elect leaders with a vision in a bid to improve their living standards.
Addressing a youths forum at Nicofeli Social hall in Sarang’ombe ward on Saturday, Ismail Hassan, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) administrative officer in Kibera Constituency challenged the young generation to register in large numbers as voters so that they can participate in electing visionary leaders.
“Bad leaders are elected by good citizens who do not vote. It is high time for the young people to choose a future for the nation by exercising their democratic right through casting votes during elections,” said Hassan.
Hassan said the youth population in Kibera and the country at large is enough to determine the leadership from the grass-root level to the top seats.
“Voter registration is ongoing and those who want to register in Kibera Constituency should visit the IEBC offices at the Langata Sub-County headquarters. The public can help IEBC restore trust among citizens by participating in voter registration and casting their votes during polls,” said Hassan.
The forum dubbed Increasing Youth Understanding of Devolution for Effective Engagement in Governance Reforms in Kenya, organised by the International Republican Institute (IRI) in partnership with Global communities is aimed at educating the youth on their role in the devolution process.
The youth got the opportunity to learn about the budget making process, social auditing, electoral process, youth radicalisation and citizen participation in devolution.
This is part of the programme that is conducted by IRI to reach out to the youth in informal settlements in Nairobi County.
Ambassador Mark Green who is the IRI President also urged the young generation to take action by engaging in governance especially at the ward level to ensure that there is transparency in budgeting and expenditure of public resources.