Nandi county has attracted a high number of youthful aspirants seeking to vie in next year’s general elections.
So far, the county has attracted more than 50 youthful politicians aged below 35 years who will be vying for various seats.
County assembly speaker Joshua Kiptoo is among those eyeing the governor's seat. In the 2017 election, Stephen Sang was elected the nation's youngest governor, aged 36.
The young politicians led by Kiplimo Raymond are urging youth to actively participate in politics but ensure peace and unity during the elections period.
Kiplimo, who will be vying for the Emgwen seat on the UDA ticket, says the party policies and plans spearheaded by Deputy President William Ruto have resonated well with the needs of youth in the region and the rest of the country.
“That is why youth in Nandi and other regions strongly believe in DP Ruto’s bottom-up economic model and support him for the presidency," Kiplimo said.
He was among tens of the UDA aspirants who accompanied Ruto during his visit to Nandi last week.
He is among aspirants seeking to replace outgoing MP Alex Kosgey, who has shifted from the constituency to vie for the Nandi Senate seat held by Senator Samson Cherargei.
Kiplimo said he is ready to take the constituency to the next level if elected to take over from Kosgey next year.
“The outgoing MP has done good work in initiating development programmes in our constituency. As a young person, I have a clear vision to better the good work done by Kosgey. We wish him well as he seeks the Senate seat," Kiplimo said.
He said he had confidence the DP would be elected next year because he has countrywide support.
“In fact, we look forward with a lot of hope to his victory and crowning as the fifth President of Kenya because he carries the vision of many youth who believe in UDA," Kiplimo said.
Kosgey is urging young Kenyans to vote for good leaders and not those interested in empty rhetoric. “That is why we also believe in DP Ruto’s bottom-up approach because we believe it will open many opportunities for youth," he said.
Leonard Kiwa, who is vying for an MCA seat, said it was time for young people to take charge of politics in the country. “It's through political leadership that young people will be able to legislate policies that will favour the younger generation," he said.
(Edited by V. Graham)
