Students drawn from various universities and colleges under the Lugari College and Universities Students Association (LUCUSA) umbrella have embarked on a series of civic education exercises on voter registration[PHOTO | Joseph Amunya | West Fm]

Students drawn from various universities and colleges under the Lugari College and Universities Students Association (LUCUSA) umbrella have embarked on a series of civic education exercises on voter registration and voting in Lugari Constituency.

Launching first phase of the exercise in a ceremony held in Mautuma location, the students led by their Chairperson Mr. Albert Wetiata a student at Masinde Muliro Universty of Science and Technology said that the main objective of the civic education programme was to sensitize area residents on the essence of good governance and leadership.

“Good governance and leadership is a key factor in the development of our constituency. This is our responsibility as youth from Lugari to ensure we get a good leader through civic education,” said Wetiata.

Wetiata observed that due to ignorance, the electorate in Lugari district has for a long time been faced with the challenge of identifying good leaders, adding that poor voter participation in past election exercises has also cost the area opportunities for economic growth and development.

“We pray and hope that the exercise we are launching today will not only enlighten our people on qualities of good leaders but also boost voter registration and voting in the forthcoming General Election,” added Wetiata.

The students have planned to visit public places including churches, mosques, barazas and other open gatherings in their efforts to educate the electorate on the need to vote and elect to power leaders who understand problems and challenges affecting them and help provide solutions.

The group will further be championing for a crop of leaders who are literate enough and who understand the need to implement the new constitution in order to save the country from the dragons of corruption.

“We will also be rooting for leaders who are ready to obey and uphold our hard fought for new constitution,” said their leader.

Wetiata urged area residents to carefully vet politicians who are aspiring for various seats before electing leaders who will economically empower them through sound and practical development structures.

The first phase of this exercise, which officially starts this Monday will run for a week and will see the students traverse all locations wards in the constituency.