Kenyan youth most abused, misused by politicians – Mudavadi

Kenyan youths are the most marginalized, abused and misused. This is according to Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi.

Speaking in Kitui and the Universities Student Leaders Summit, Mudadavi noted that governments front youth agenda as a priority but the practice remains highly cosmetic.

“It is time for a strong and vibrant youth platform as a voice of reason for the youth. Otherwise we will continue to suffocate the aspirations of the youths. We cannot continue playing corruption roulette with resources set aside to help improve the welfare of the youth. As country, we have let the youth down,” stated Mudavadi.

Mudavadi listed a number of recent scandals in the country that have led to loss of millions of shillings that was meant for the youth.

He cited the NYS scam, the Youth Enterprise Fund, political marginalization and Presidential appointments saying that the youth are turned away both in the government and private sectors.

“Employers talk of experience but no one wants to try youths to attain the requisite experience. No one wants to train the youth on jobs. Inevitably, we are destroying the future if we refuse to apprentice youth. We are setting precedence where the gap between the experienced and no experienced will lead to capacity dearth; soon we will stifle economic transition for lack of human resource,” stated the ANC leader.

“Most of our political establishments, especially political parties form Youth Wings as baskets for militia, mercenaries, goons, Carrier Corps, hecklers and body guards. No political party has fronted youths in positions of leadership and decision-making. Political marginalization of the youth is systemic and deliberate to keep the youth out of mainstream leadership.”

In his speech, Mudavadi encouraged the youth to find their worth and seek opportunities as opposed to waiting for politicians to ‘help’ them.

“A very senior politician and leader of one of our major political parties once told me not to be sympathetic to the youths. I asked why? He had two reasons: Youths are the majority – if you favour and empower them you create a double-faceted problem – they will either attempt to take over and compete with you or you will lose your pool for warriors to fight your political wars; Secondly, to succeed in politics, make the youths perpetually poor and miserable. That way they will always follow and worship you. I couldn’t fault him because today, red-eyed youths still believe, worship and fight wars for this politician,” stated Mudavadi.

Mudavadi challenged the youth to work together to change the story from the way it is to the way it ought, should and shall be.