Caption: Kitui Youth Movement chairman Moses Munyalo (second left) addressing a press conference at a Kitui hotel. (By Lawrence Kioko/hivisasa.com)
Former Land Minister Charity Ngilu on Friday received a boost in her quest for the governor’s seat after a section of Kitui County youth under the Kitui Youth Movement (KYM) caucus endorsed her bid.
Led by their chairman Moses Munyalo, the youth vowed to mobilise and rally over 2,000 young people from across the county in support of the Narc party leader.
“After lengthy consultations and deliberations, we have settled on Ms Ngilu as best suited among the three governorship candidates including Senator David Musila and incumbent Julius Malombe,” said Mr Munyalo during a press conference at a Kitui Hotel.
The youth chair termed Ngilu as a visionary leader who has their interests at heart.
“She has over time come out as a leader who advocates for the welfare of the youth in Kitui and beyond. For that reason, we promise to support her ambition to become the next governor,” he said.
He exuded confidence that the onetime MP for Kitui Central would create employment for the youth besides helping them to create wealth if elected into office in the impending polls.
“We have suffered enough without jobs or businesses for self-sustenance yet most of us hold degrees and diplomas as well as technical knowhow that has remained untapped but we have found hope in Madam Ngilu,” added Munyalo who was flanked by over 30 KYM members.
They accused Dr Malombe’s leadership of sidelining them when hiring its employees and awarding government tenders and vowed to vote out the administration come August 8 General Election.
“In 2013, we elected Governor Malombe in good faith hoping that his government would deliver us from joblessness but that has not been the case. We have not even benefited from the constitutional 30 percent share of the county budget,” noted their Secretary General Gerald Muhanji.
While vowing to foster and preach peace during the electioneering period, the youth also requested Ngilu to engage them in her quest for the county’s top job.
“We beseech her to take us on board because we believe in her leadership,” said Mr Muhanji adding that they would not allow any politician to incite them to violence as the country prepares to go to the ballot.
The youth also vowed to turn out in their numbers on the election day so as to cast their votes for Ms Ngilu and assure her of a landslide win.