Raila Odinga’s home county Siaya has found itself in bad books with Kenyans after it emerged that top positions were only handed to older people, completely excluding youthful leaders.
In a comparison between Siaya and Nandi counties that is doing rounds on social media, those who secured the Woman Rep, Senator and governor seats in Siaya County are mainly above 70 years old while in Nandi youthful leaders secured the top seats.
In Siaya, the governor is James Orengo aged 76 years, Oburu Odinga who is the senator is 82 years old while the Women Rep Christine Ombaka is over 65 years.
In Nandi, the elected governor Stephen Sang’ is aged 37 years, Senator Samson Cherargei is 36 years old, Women Rep Cynthia Muge is 29 while the speaker of the county assembly Philemon Melly is aged 34.
A section of Kenyans have faulted the move by Siaya county to vote in older leaders saying it translates to performance because older people are deemed tired with no vibrant energy to carry out their mandate. Others faulted ODM, which is the dominant party in the region for denying such opportunities to the youth, noting that the party will be dead if it continues with the trend.
“I hope Nandi will surpass the performance of not only Siaya but all other counties in the country. May all people in Nandi become millionaires in the next 5 years because of the young leadership there,” a netizen said.
“We have a problem…a big one. ODM will sublime if it continues denying young people positions,” another said.
A report by the controller of budget in March this year however noted that Siaya and Nandi are among the worst performing counties in the country.
The question of youthful leaders in ODM has however not affected Siaya county alone but it seems to be an issue across the country. Recently, Babu Owino, Embakasi East MP, has been complaining about the youths being betrayed by the party.
“ODM Party, so many youth and myself sacrificed a lot and used our resources in the party over the years, our pay is betrayal and blackmail . It is OK. Tomorrow is another day,” he said, adding that a Public Accounts Committee position that had been designated for him has now been handed to John Mbadi.
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