- He said the bipartisan team fronted by Azimio has purely 'old' people who will not present the issues facing youths.
- Bumula explained that giving the youths that opportunity will also help them gain more experience in politics.
Image: Courtesy
Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association CEO Anthony Bumula has faulted Azimio la Umoja for sidelining youths.
Buluma said the alliance should have included young people who were well represented in the frontline during demos.
"The most proactive faces of Azimio in the streets is the youth but when you look at the composition of the team they have no young person on that team," Bumula said.
The official was speaking during a talk show on Citizen TV.
He said the bipartisan team fronted by Azimio has purely 'old' people who will not present the issues facing youths.
"It's just purely oligarchs who do not necessarily take a front door when they are going to the streets," he said.
The concern comes even as young lawmakers from the coalition raised the issue.
They questioned why the team did not involve any young person.
"That's abusing the young people and they need to revise their list unconditionally so that they can incorporate the place of young people," he added.
Bumula explained that giving the youths that opportunity will also help them gain more experience in politics.
"It's the young people who are holding pangas saying we want the cost of living to go down. So how will they express their concerns when they are not in that team," he said.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino said the 7 member team fronted by Azimio to negotiate with President William Ruto's team should have included youths.
This is even as some politicians questioned why Owino who has been loyal to Raila Odinga missed out on the list.
"A team has been set up to Represent Azimio in the Bipartisan talks. I wish them well. However, it would have been more efficient if a youth was part of the team because it's the youth who are killed, maimed and still at the forefront in the struggle," Owino tweeted.
Azimio will be represented by Senate Minority Whip Ledama Olekina, ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna, and Senate deputy minority leader Enoch Wambua.
Others are MPs Otiende Amollo (Rarieda), David PKosing (Pokot South), Millie Odhiambo (Suba North), and Amina Mnyanzi (Malindi).
The Kenya Kwanza team includes Boni Khalwale (Kakamega Senator), George Murugara (MP Tharaka), Adan Keynan, Esther Okenyuri (Nominated Senator), Mwangi Mutuse (MP Kibwezi West), Lydia Haika (Women Rep Taita Taveta) and Hillary Sigei (Senator Bomet)