[Kisii Governor James Ongwae in a past event. County youths have called for equal representation in all positions. Photo/Hivisasa.com]
Youth leaders in the Gusii region have asked political parties to ensure fair representation in the ongoing party nominations exercise.
Their concerns come in the wake of claims that have marred the exercise regarding irregularities, including vote rigging and the exclusion of some youthful candidates from party nomination lists.
Youthful candidates are expected to see mixed fortunes in the region, with a number already confirmed as candidates for various seats.
In Nyamira County, senatorial aspirant Walter Mounde expressed confidence in capturing the ANC ticket, saying the youth vote could no longer be taken for granted.
We have been neglected for too long but are now ready to move from being mere cheerleaders to serious contenders for top seats, said Mr Mounde.
Kitutu Chache South parliamentary aspirant Mr Anthony Kibagendi said the youth were a formidable force that was set to sweep the county vote.
The ODM aspirant who has been featured in several NTV interviews on a variety of issues affecting the party and country at large said he had mobilized youthful voters to register as party members in readiness for the nominations.
Mr Kibagendi, who came third in the 2013 parliamentary contest, said his network of friends was key in getting the political push he needed to achieve his aims.
“We are no longer taking a backseat in the struggle for political power. I was not brought up in a family of privileges, neither did I have a godfather to push me in this political journey, but I have a network of dedicated friends and supporters,” he said.
The aspirant and businessman said it was this network that led to his strong showing at the last polls, adding that it was still growing.
“My friends, who have helped me sustain my campaigns through financial support, advice and networking, both in the grassroots and at the national level, through mainstream media (Radio and TV), social media and beyond,” said Mr Kibagendi.
He called on voters to support youthful candidates, saying they would transform the county’s leadership with new ideas and development perspectives.
In Rigoma Ward, Nyamira County, journalist and ODM activist Nyambega Gisesa captured the ticket with an emphatic win.
He attributed his win to a consistent struggle to represent the aspirations and development vision of his people which had paid off with a win.
Mr Gisesa, an award winning NMG correspondent, vowed to trounce his opponents in the August polls with a large margin.
In Bogiakumu Ward, Fred Nunda, an ODM aspirant, raised the alarm after his name was omitted from the aspirants’ list in the run-up to tomorrow’s nomination exercise.
Residents from the ward held a demo to express their dissatisfaction with the mysterious exclusion, with Mr Nunda threatening to decamp and vie as an independent candidate if he was denied the ticket.
Addressing the Nation at a press conference yesterday, Kisii Youth Government president John Otao said youths were no longer going ready to be used as gateway to power by the elderly political elite.
“Since independence, we have been used as mere stepping stones and gateways to power by a greedy, uncaring selfish elite. We shall no longer accept the status quo where youths are used to unleash violence on opponents and then eliminated from the power structure once the elections are over,” said Mr Otao.
He asked youthful candidates to offer themselves for positions in the ongoing nominations, saying they had a unique opportunity to correct what he termed historical injustices against the young generation.
“Political parties had long been used to using youths to cause chaos and provide blind votes to boost the self-seeking agenda of elderly politicians. This vicious cycle of historical injustices against the youth in this region must stop,” he said.
Mr Otao advised youths to shun the culture of voting based on handouts from politicians, saying it had contributed to their marginalization.
“We should take a firm stand against political tricksters who dazzle us with petty cash during the campaign period, only to disappear once elected to the detriment of the youth agenda,:” said Mr Otao.
Another aspirant, Mr Geoffrey Matundura of Ford Kenya, who is vying for the Nyatieko Ward seat, asked voters to be vigilant going into the exercise, saying the possibility of rigging could not be discounted given the high level of competition in this year’s polls.
“We must commit ourselves to guarding the vote, in view of the rigging that has been witnessed on previous occasions and this can only be achieved through proper measures to ensure that rigging does not occur,” he said.