Murang’a: A section of youth leaders from Mt Kenya region have called upon elected leaders to prioritize development and service delivery over politics. Speaking to the press at a Murang’a hotel, the youth leaders from Murang’a county called upon the government and all elected leaders to deliver the election promises made to the electorate instead of focusing on political exchanges.
According to Kenya News Agency, Wanjohi Mwangi, one of the youth leaders, said that the heated political atmosphere in the country is misguided since Kenyans have more serious priorities. “At the expense of development and good leadership, we have prioritized politics,” he noted. Mwangi urged the leaders from the region to give the government time to deliver on its promises, noting that the region has not had the chance to reap the benefits of supporting the current government.
“We need to reap the benefits of this administration before we can be asked to abandon the government and think of forming another government in the years to come,” he spoke. “We are not heading to calls by any leaders to leave the government; our votes must count for something,” he added. He challenged the leaders from Mt Kenya region to be strategic enough so that they can enjoy the benefits of this government before they can decide on the next course of action at the appropriate time.
Mwangi castigated the former deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua, for saying the president betrayed the region, noting that his challenges are personal and not communal and noted that regional interest superseded those of any individual. “It will only be betrayal if stalled roads are not completed, if people don’t receive water, schools, and all the allocations they deserve,” he said. “It cannot be betrayal because one individual lost a job when there are many jobless Kenyans,” he added.
Maina Kamunya, another youth leader, underscored the need for the government to keep its promises to the people, noting that there are many challenges facing the youth in the country. “Kenyans deserve development, and the millions of unemployed youths need jobs so that they can live decent lives,” he said, adding that Kenyans cannot wait until there is another government in 2027 before they can get essential things.
Meanwhile, Kamunya called upon the government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura to effectively and regularly update Kenyans on government programmes and policies. “The spokesperson should keep Kenyans regularly updated because silence gives room for propaganda,” he said. He challenged the government to effectively communicate on policies, saying the resistance most of the programmes are facing is a result of poor communication and lack of sensitisation.
He further called for national unity, noting that no single community is sufficient to build Kenya on its own. Sarah Nduta, on her part, also said leaders need to focus on development, saying that performance is what will determine if they could get re-elected during the next general election. “Kenyans are focused on development such as schools, markets, and roads; there will be time for politics when elections are near,” Nduta said. She also noted that government communication needs to be improved so that the public can understand what the government is doing for them.