Invest in youth for growth: PM

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Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Bishop Margaret Wanjiru during a church service at the Jesus Is Alive Ministries in Nairobi on October 14, 2012. Photo/NICHOLAS NTHENGE/PMPS.  PMPS

By GEORGE SAYAGIE gsayagie@ke.nationmedia.com and PMPS
Posted  Sunday, October 14  2012 at  20:00

IN SUMMARY

• He expressed optimism that the Kenyan dream could easily be realised when the youth who make more than 72 per cent of the population were imparted with skills and knowledge to boost the economy.
• He also urged parents to take the education of their children seriously to enable them become productive members of the society.
• The Premier urged Kenya Certificate of Primary and Secondary Education candidates to face the examination with courage despite the setback they suffered during the recent teacher’s strike.

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Prime Minister Raila Odinga insists that the country must empower the youth to realise accelerated growth due to their high numbers.

He expressed optimism that the Kenyan dream could easily be realised when the youth who make more than 72 per cent of the population were imparted with skills and knowledge to boost the economy.

“The nation must invest in the education of the youth because they comprise the bulk of the workforce the country needs to spur economic growth,” the premier said.

He also urged parents to take the education of their children seriously to enable them become productive members of the society.

Mr Odinga made the remarks on Sunday when he joined worshippers at the Jesus Is Alive Ministries for a special prayer session for candidates sitting this year’s national examinations after concluding his tour of Narok County.

The Premier, who was accompanied by several MPs, urged Kenya Certificate of Primary and Secondary Education candidates to face the examination with courage despite the setback they suffered during the recent teacher’s strike.

In Narok Mr Odinga who was accompanied by eight Cabinet ministers said Narok District Hospital would be upgraded to a referral institution.

Mr Odinga promised residents that the hospital will be under Narok University and will be used as a training institution for students.

“The Nairobi-Narok-Bomet road is turning to be a killer road and upgrading the hospital will take care of accident victims instead of referring them to Kenyatta National Hospital,” said Mr Odinga.

Speaking at Narok University College while addressing county leaders, he said the institution would be a fully fledged university by the end of the year.

“This college will take the region to the next level by providing academic services to residents to alleviate poverty,” said Mr Odinga.

He promised that the 85km Narok-Sikinani Maasai Mara and the Narok-Mau Narok-Njoro road will be tarmacked.