Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki has said that the government will continue to engage with the youth as they play a significant role in the country’s social transformation.
To build a stronger country, he noted that this culture of engagement will cut across generations, gender and other divisions.
Making his remarks at the end of a three-day Homabay Devolution Conference today, Prof Kindiki reiterated their commitment to creating spaces for dialogue, and continuous consultations to build trust and confidence in both tiers of government (national and county).
“We hold them dearly as part of our endeavours to create national solutions to daily societal problems. President William Ruto-led administration has not brushed away the concerns they have been raising,” Prof Kindiki assured.
The Second-In-Command added that the place of the young people and the youth will be critical in defining our common future.
Prof Kindiki pointed out the abundance of skills and knowledge the Kenyan youths possess.
This is coupled with the evolution of smart and advanced technologies to spur socio-economic growth and development.
He called for enhanced collaboration between the three arms of government, the Council of Governors (COG), and the Public-Private Sector to bridge the resource and financial gaps.
“This is critical in financing people-centric service and project provisions across the country.”
Prof Kindiki observed that the Youth, Technologies and Partnerships will tremendously define Kenya’s and Africa’s 21st century.
Fruits of Devolution
He lauded the greater strides which has been realised through devolution across the 47 counties, terming it as “The most profound innovations of our constitution, which was promulgated in 2010.”
Prof Kindiki: “It has improved our roads, health care services, increased access to education, and boosted agripreneurs, among others.
“Mbai lost his life for us to have a more developed Kenya,” he said while urging County Assemblies to prudently use the shared resources to perfect their constitutional roles of oversight, legislation and representation.
War On Graft
Prof Kindiki decried the dangers posed by corruption, which he described as affecting every sector across the nation.
“The time has come for us to face it head-on, and we need to begin the process of upholding sustainable democracy.”
Corruption, he says, stands in the way of the country’s prosperity, and has morphed into triple risks: Ethnic Sectarianism, Violent Extremism and Political issues being fanned through violence.
Host Governor Gladys Wanga thanked all those who made the devolution conference a success.
“Promises are like babies, easy to make but hard to deliver. Let’s ensure that the promises of Devolution 2025 are not confined to communiques but are transformed into tangible, lasting solutions,” Governor Wanga urged.
