Some of the youth leaders from minority communities in North Rift, led by Bonface Nangabo (r), during a meeting in EldoretThe storm over recent remarks by nominated MP Joseph Wainaina elicited more criticism as youth from minority communities in Eldoret told him off and promised to guard peace and unity.
They have promised not to accept being used as goons to cause violence or perpetrate tribalism or insecurity during the election period.
Hundreds of youth from various communities held a meeting in the city, where they urged politicians to campaign peacefully and focus on development issues to attract votes from Kenyans.
The youth were led by Patrick Ouma, Joel Otieno, Mercy Wamboi, Binface Nangabo and Alex Omondi.
Ouma said Kenyans living in different parts of the country should cherish cohesion, peace and unity which were key to achieving national development.
“As Kenyans we are free to live in any part of this country and there are many benefits in keeping peace and unity between because we can only achieve development through such an environment,” he said.
Wamboi repeated Ouma’s sentiments, adding that time had come for the country to elect leaders who focus on development and not selfish gains.
“You are free to live and work in any part of this country and for those of us in the North Rift, this is our home and we are not going anywhere else as per the wish of a misguided individual,” she said.
Nangabo condemned leaders who sell fear and intimidation to achieve selfish gains instead of working for peaceful co-existence of all Kenyans.
“As youth from minority groups we will not be intimidated. We will only listen to development policies and issues to do with peace and unity,” Nangabo said.
He added that politicians should focus on selling their development agenda to Kenyans instead of relying on violence and tribalism to make political gains.
Nangabo said Kenyans should not accept the use of goons in politics because such trends had the potential to destroy the country.
He said politicians should work to create opportunities for youth to work and earn a living instead of seeking to use young people and goons to cause political violence.
“It will be more useful for the country if youth are engaged positively instead of using the young people as goons to destroy their own country.”
Otieno said the youth from the minority groups in the region were engaging with elders and other groups so that they host a major meeting where a decision works be made in terms of political direction.
