Busia County Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo has called for the economic empowerment of unemployed youth to divert them from political ‘goonism’ and channel their energy, courage and determination into productive activities.
Omanyo said many young people branded as political goons were unemployed, lacked skills and had been seeking opportunities without success, leaving them vulnerable to recruitment into political confrontations in exchange for money or other forms of support.
She said the situation had created a cycle of political violence in which politicians take advantage of the youths’ vulnerability by mobilising them to confront opponents, prompting other leaders visiting such areas to recruit youths for protection and often resulting in clashes between rival groups.
The clashes, she said, could leave young people injured or killed, while the politicians they were fighting to protect remained safe.
Speaking at Changara Market during an empowerment programme where women and youth received business kits under the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) to support their businesses, Omanyo said meaningful economic opportunities were key to breaking the cycle.
Omanyo, who is also the acting ODM Secretary General, said some youths who willingly put themselves at risk while protecting politicians, could instead be trained for national service and other forms of productive employment.
She proposed that young people be given opportunities in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), National Youth Service (NYS) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
The Woman Rep. said youths without academic qualifications could be enrolled in technical training programmes, to acquire skills in areas such as carpentry, tailoring and other trades and become self-reliant.
Omanyo said she would continue speaking up for unemployed youth vulnerable to political exploitation, noting that labelling them as goons without addressing the circumstances driving them into such activities would not solve the problem.
“I will repeat again, I will defend young people who due to their vulnerability are being misled and used as goons because they are our children,” she said.
Omanyo urged politicians across the country to stop recruiting young people into political violence and instead support them to acquire skills, establish businesses and secure employment.
By Moses Wekesa
