Kasmuel: Broad-based youth to lobby government directly for its affairs

Political activist Kasmuel McOure has announced that the Broad-Based Youth Front will begin engaging the government directly on matters affecting young people.

McOure said the move represents a shift away from reliance on political intermediaries.

He added that the movement would not take direction from politicians who were absent during last year’s youth-led street demonstrations.

He expressed concern that some leaders are attempting to reinsert themselves into youth issues without what he described as genuine commitment.

“We are in this Broad-Based Government until it fully delivers its mandate, and we intend to own that process to the very end. We will not be swayed by opportunistic rhetoric or political reinventions disguised as youth advocacy. Starting today, we will lobby the government directly through a unified youth front,” McOure said.

He pledged that the youth front would advocate for accountability and reforms reflecting the needs of the country’s largest demographic.

McOure has previously called on elected leaders within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to remain committed to the Broad-Based political arrangement between ODM and UDA, which he said was made in the interest of national unity and stability.

In a statement addressed to the party’s secretary-general and ODM members, McOure emphasised that the party had joined the Broad-Based arrangement for the sake of the country and urged continued public support from those who endorsed it during internal discussions.

He noted that the arrangement involved coordinated political cooperation, including negotiations on electoral zones and mutual support in certain regions, and that these discussions were conducted openly at the leadership level.

“Elected members of ODM must not engage in political chicanery. The party entered the Broad-Based arrangement for the sake of the country. You pushed for this arrangement in boardrooms; you must not now pretend to oppose it when you face the people,” McOure said.

He further called on members to avoid using internal differences to create confusion among supporters, saying the arrangement had been agreed upon at the highest levels of the party and should be respected.

“We shall not allow the words of our party’s spokesperson to be used against our party and its candidates. No one tried to sabotage your election. Don’t do it to others,” McOure added.