A Kisumu youth group has warned area leaders to stop using youths for their own personal interests at the expense of their needs.
Kisumu Youth Forum spokesperson Annette Atieno has said that young people from the area are faced with various challenges such as unemployment and leaders are now using them due to their vulnerability.
“Many of the young people usually look for means to survive , leaders come to them with promises of better lives provided that they assist them in doing their dirty jobs,” said Atieno.
Atieno who was speaking at Ekatso Youth Polytechnic’s graduation, in Maseno said that leaders use youths to spread hate messages, which is beneficial to them only.
“We are now calling on leaders to come with constructive ideas that will help the youths rather than using them to engage in petty politics that benefit no one in return. They should remember as days go by, youths become empowered and therefore in a position to choose what is wrong or right,” added Atieno.
She said that they are in the process of starting a programme that seeks to empower young people for them to demand better services and opportunities from local leaders.