David Mwangi, 29, a tailor and environmentalist by profession, joined the race to take over the senator seat in Nairobi county.
As a young person, he has been despised and asked to go and enjoy life in the city instead of joining politics.
However, this has not derailed his dream to be a member of the Senate in the 13th Parliament.
Mwangi, who also served in the students’ union at Maseno University as secretary general, has now upgraded his dreams.
“I want to be the senator because the youth of this country feel left out, and most of them are not involved in active politics,” Mwangi said during an interview with the Star.
His experience as a student leader is nothing similar to his current campaign trails around the city because he gets to address real issues facing people.
As a young person, his priority is in youth empowerment and helping youths deal with several issues.
“Youths need hope, making sure they are part of the decision-making because the future is theirs,” he said.
It has not been easy for youths to secure positions, whether nominated or elective.
Mwangi said in the ongoing vote hunt, most youths were asked to step down in favour of ‘aged’ leaders.
“The main parties in this country denied the youths a chance and basically gave them roles in committees, but these are just big titles with nothing,” he said.
The realisation of this situation is what pushed Mwangi to declare his interest in the senator position.
“Because we are young we get excited because of the big roles, but we forget the titles have nothing,” Mwangi said.
MESSAGE TO YOUTH
Despite championing for the youth, Mwangi urged them to stand for themselves and take their roles seriously.
This, he said, will leave enough role models to the young ones and youths will not live in regret after leaving positions they once held.
“Youths in active politics, and I mean those holding positions or vying, should assist the youth and create opportunities for others,” he said.
The senator candidate faulted current youth leaders who sidelined fellow youngins once they took office.
He said most of them no longer associate with people of their age group.
“They don’t represent us and some of them who were our friends don’t even pick our calls anymore,” he added.
As a young person with a leadership mindset, Mwangi had to set aside some ‘moments’ for him to remain a role model to the youth.
“I refrain from doing some things because I know am a role model and am glad it has given me focus and better articulation of things,” he said.
Mwangi’s main agenda is mental health, which has been a real issue in the country since 2021.
The Ministry of Health estimates that one in every 10 people suffers from a common mental disorder.
The number increases to one in every four people among patients attending routine outpatient services.
Mwangi plans to implement rescue centres that will be accessible and affordable to the common mwananchi.
He said counsellors are costly and for one to receive consultation services, you could part with almost Sh5,000.
“If you are a young person, you are broke, you slept hungry, you haven’t paid rent, where will you get that money for consultation?” he said.
In terms of unemployment, Mwangi said most youths are educated but lack exposure.
If elected, he promised to come up with incubation centres in all institutions of higher learning.
“Youths have ideas but cannot explore them because of lack of opportunity, exposure and capital,” he said.
