Youth say will deliver Yes vote

Kenya youth have singled out at least 25 gains for them in the proposed constitution and vowed to use their numerical strength to ensure the proposed Constitution is passed at the referendum.

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Through the Youth Agenda officials Hussein Mohamed (chairman), Susan Kariuki (chief executive), Fredrick Ayieko (programme assistant) and Mr Anthony Kibagendi they further urged the youth to ensure peace during and after the polls.

“We should say no to violence this time round and promote tolerance,” Mr Mohamed said during a news conference at the Serena Hotel, Nairobi Thursday.

Among the gains for youth in the proposed Constitution, they said, is the avenue to participate in governance as they can vie for political office as independent candidates and also contribute to national and regional development as professionals.

As special groups, the youth will receive allocations for funding and other opportunities within the counties and at national level, Mr Mohamed said.

The envisaged dual citizenship will enable youth pursue education opportunities and work anywhere on the globe..

There’s further no minimum age limit for contesting the presidency, governorship or MP as long as one is 18 years and above. The current constitution puts the age limit to vie for presidency at 35.

“The guaranteed devolution will increase opportunities for young people, especially job opportunities that will be created closer to citizens; young people will no longer have to travel to Nairobi with a CV, waiting to see their MP to get a job,” Mr Mohamed said.

The youth are also happy that under the proposed Constitution, police cannot hold suspects for more than 24 hours before taking them to court, that idle land would be taxed, women will have special seats in National Assembly and Senate and that presidential elections would be held in August enabling Kenyans to freely enjoy Christmas.

“The President will no longer be able to reward his or her cronies with ministerial appointments or dangle the proverbial carrot to get parliamentarians to bend to his will.

"Ministerial appointments will be vetted by Parliament. The Cabinet will be composed of not more than 22 professionals drawn from outside Parliament,” Mr Mohamed said.

Election petitions will be heard and determined within six months if the proposed Constitution is passed. There would further be a Remuneration and Salary Commission to determine the salaries of all public servants.

Mr Mohamed and Ms Kariuki said the youth have for long been disillusioned for lack of recognition and that the proposed Constitution provides vision and direction for them.

“We will now be able to take charge of our affairs but first we have to peacefully participate in August 4 referendum,” Mr Mohamed said.

Ms Kariuki said her group will continue to reach more youth through sports and music so that they could turn up in large numbers and vote for the proposed Constitution.

On Friday, the group plans to host a question and answer debate at the Nairobi Safari Club Hotel to explain the contents of the proposed Constitution.

The debate will further be used to counter myth and propaganda being peddled on the contents of the document.