Nyamira County Children’s Assembly has conducted a successful election of county leaders who will be articulating their issues whenever they are given a platform to make presentations on matters about their interests.
Megan Kipkoech, 15, a grade 10 student at Nyansiongo Senior School, was elected Governor for the Nyamira County Children’s Assembly.
In his inaugural speech, after being announced as the winner of the coveted seat, which attracted four contestants, the soft-spoken Megan clearly articulated things he will work hard to fulfill, especially presenting troubling issues that affect children in Nyamira.
“Thank you for voting me as your Governor and I promise to put forth issues affecting children from Nyamira County whenever I am given an opportunity to speak on children’s matters both locally and nationally. I urge all of us to be ambassadors of discipline, hard work and always advocating for our deserved rights,” Megan said.
Davin Siocha, 13 from Mwancha SDA Junior School in grade 9, was elected as the speaker of the children’s assembly.
She thanked all those who voted for her and promised that she will ensure to represent them well at the national assembly in pointing out problems which are facing them in the county especially the girl child.
Ashley Mokeira, 14, from Omokonge School for the deaf was excited to learn that she even beat male contestants.
She confessed that this was the first time she was attending such a forum and she really enjoyed the empowerment forum and the confidence fellow children had in her despite her disability of hearing impairment.
Wednesday, April 21, 2016. Photograph by: Deborah Bochere
The county coordinator for children services, Asto Omollo, said the children assembly gives these children an early opportunity to start shaping their leadership skills while they are still young, improve on their personalities, and be well versed with their rights and how to articulate and boldly advocate for them.
“The County and National children assembly provides a child-friendly platform where children effectively participate in discussing matters affecting them. The assembly platforms further provide appropriate skills through stimulating their creativity and critical thinking, strengthening networks to empower them in decision making on matters affecting their lives.” Mr. Rasto elaborated.
Nyamaiya Sub-County Assistant County Commissioner Wilberforce Yegon, where the election and empowerment event was held, congratulated the winners and challenged them to vie for the national posts when they will be electing the Kenya Children Assembly leaders because they had exhibited qualities of being national leaders.
Mr. Omolo thanked all the partners who have the interest of children at heart and supported the empowerment and election exercise to ensure that children re given an opportunity to lead and articulate issues directly affecting them in their forums for them to have an opportunity to be heard.
“We greatly appreciate support from partners and institutions of good will like the host institution Blessed Generation, International Solidarity Foundation (ISF) for tokens of gift hampers, Investing in Children and their Societies (ICS), Muungano Gender Forum, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and even banking institutions like Cooperative and Equity banks. The children are happy and excited because you supported them for the sake of their best interest at heart.
The elected leaders will now participate in the national children’s assembly, where they will be expected to vie for national leadership posts like those of the president and deputy president before the end of this year.
By Deborah Bochere
