This archive report was first published on 12 July 2020.
July 12, 2020
A rift has developed among Luhya leaders in Western Kenya, with some accusing their counterparts of neglecting the youth in State appointments.
Orange Democratic Movement Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, nominated senator Naomi Shiyonga, Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, and MP Godfrey Osotsi boycotted a meeting called by Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya to launch the Mulembe Youth Council.
The meeting was meant to promote unity among Luhya leaders, but Sifuna and Malala claimed that the old guard had short-changed the youth by failing to forward their names to President Uhuru Kenyatta for appointment during a recent meeting with the Head of State.
“The old guards have no respect for youth. Nothing about us without us. It cannot be that the President requests 15 names for appointment and no youth is floated,” Sifuna said, warning that Western governors cannot be entrusted with promoting the region’s youth agenda.
Malala vowed to harness the power of the Mulembe youth to earn a seat at the table, accusing the old guard of greed and a lack of commitment to Luhya unity.
