Youths have been advised to be good ambassadors of democracy and be at the forefront in fighting for changes in national politics and not to allow themselves be influenced by money to make wrong decisions during general elections.
Speaking during a one day youth empowerment conference organized by Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD-Kenya) at Downhill Springs Resort at Kabrengu in Kakamega county nominated senator Daisy Kanainza expressed her disappointment over the high rate of voter bribery in the country.
The event brought together youths from Bungoma, Vihiga, Busia, Trans Nzoia and Kakamega counties,
She noted with regret that political campaigns in the country have been disfigured by voter bribery making Kenyan elections more expensive compared to other countries.
She cautioned electorate against the trend saying in many occasions leaders who bribe their way into office have failed to deliver on their pre-election pledges and most of them do not even have any development agenda for their people.
She said with unity and strong stand youths had willpower to bring sanity to the politics in this country and ensure democracy is maintained urging them to take leadership with a lot of seriousness.
“Voter bribery is the root cause of corruption in this country because we have not seen any economic criminal committed without the instigation of political interest, without the beneficiary being political in nature and the cover up also being political in nature, so young people must be able to relate voter bribery to the levels of corruption rampant as they are in the country,” she said
Her sentiments were echoed by Mr. Frank Mukwanja the CMD programme manager who disclosed his organization had rolled out an empowerment program in ten counties on improving young people’s participation meaningfully in political leadership and decision making.
He however said in the course of their work they had realized that voter bribery was a very big mess especially in western region.
“Voter bribery prevents people and the elected leaders themselves to be able to articulate the agenda as to why they should be in office, so we have entered up particularly in this western region, Kakamega in particular with leaders without a clear agenda, and without a clear agenda then you have a blind menu in a dark room and that is why they are unable to satisfy people’s interests, and we are telling young people that it’s not them who have bossed their leadership on you, it’s you who messed with their agenda before ballot so the only way you can change this is demand agenda is articulated as opposed to demanding for bribes for you to vote someone into office,” said Mukwanja.
He said under the theme “Say no to voter bribery, Not with my vote” the organization was determined to bring changes in Kenyan politics by lifting the vain that covers the capacity and ability of young people to be able to involve themselves in meaningful political leadership.
“We are convinced that going forward we will be getting more enlightened voters, we are going to deal with a different political animal ‘the young voter’ so that political aspirants cannot just engage in a monologue as we have seen before, we want such town halls to promote dialogues where politicians can state their agendas and youths have opportunity to ask them questions, so that when you are telling them you are going to offer them employment they can know is it grave digging or is it a proper agenda that can get young people into meaningful jobs and empowerment,” he said.
Advising the youths on the legal aspect Ms. Ruth Ambogo reminded them of Article 10 of the Kenya constitution which speaks highly on national values and principles which includes inclusive leadership, people’s participation, integrity and accountability.
She said voter bribery was a crime that is heavily punishable and that both the giver and the taker of the bribe commits a crime that can mount to a jail term of five years imprisonment if found guilty.
The function was also attended by the Kakamega county chief of staff Nabii Nabwera