Where are our shares, youths ask Ruto after CAS shortlist

The youths who either vied and lost or were part of the national campaigns feel like the positions have been awarded to ‘elderly’ poll losers.

The list released by the Public Service Commission on Monday drew mixed reactions, mostly from youthful leaders.

The youth leaders spoke to the Star exclusively, expressing their concerns with the increasingly withdrawn mentorship for youths in politics.

North Mugirango MP candidate (2022) Nathaniel Mongare said the list exposed what he termed greed for power by former elected leaders.

Mongare said the shortlisted candidates should have left the stage for younger people to showcase their leadership abilities.

“It creates a democratic deficit in Kenya’s electoral circle that leads to many young people not seeing the need to cast their votes on Election Day,” Mongare, who was among the runners up in the constituency, said.

He warned that if the trend continues, many young people will be discouraged from voting in future elections.

“It also challenges the President to address the deep-rooted issue of joblessness and underemployment among the millions of capable young people who don’t have the means to serve themselves,” he said.

He backed recent calls by some members of the political class for the PSC to revise the list and consider parametres, such as the need for regional balance, inclusion of youths and women.

PSC published a list of 240 names shortlisted for the CAS position and are set to be interviewed starting March 1.

PSC said the publication of the names followed the conclusion of the shortlisting pursuant to the provisions of Article 132(4) (a) of the Constitution and Section 30 of the Public Service Commission Act, 2017.

Amani National Congress director of Political Affairs Omulo Junior noted that the Kenya Kwanza manifesto seemed to pave way for youth leadership.

Omulo echoed Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s recent sentiments that the government is a company with shareholders.

“We the youths are the majority but where are our shares? The CAS listing does not reflect the shares we have in this government,” Omulo said.

He said the positions should be reserved for youths who are being nurtured to hold more senior positions in future.

“If the trend continues, Kenya Kwanza government might lose the youth support to other political competitors,” he said.

In the former regime, President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed youths to serve as CAS in most ministries.

They include former UoN students union president Zack Kinuthia (sports), Nadia Ahmed (ICT), David Osiany (Trade and Industrialisation), Eric Simiyu (National Treasury and Planning), and Sara Rutto (Education).

Anthony Buluma, who vied as Nambale MP, thanked Ruto for putting youths at the forefront of Kenya Kwanza campaigns.

But Buluma now says Ruto should come out clearly and address the issue of youths missing in the CAS list.

“He needs to direct the PSC to redo the shortlisting and rekindle the hopes of the many youth that had trust and belief in this government,” Buluma said.

The aspiring legislator reminded elites that the CAS position was slated to breed young leaders into mainstream politics.

“It is time for the Kenya Kwanza administration to identify itself with either those whose future is yet to be achieved or those whose future is in the past,” he added.

In the Kenya Kwanza manifesto, the youth charter to be specific, Ruto promised to create an independent Youth ministry.

The ministry was to be led by a youth CS — below 35 years.

Youth Affairs, Sports and Arts CS Ababu Namwamba, 47, now holds the docket. 

South Mugirango MP said the CAS position should be an opportunity for women, youths and marginalised communities.

Osoro said former governors and the big names seem to suggest the nation owes them by competing for the CAS positions.

“It’s sad to see former governors lining up for CAS positions. What do they want? What didn’t they do as county heads that they want to do for the country now?” Osoro asked during a TV talk show.

Former Nyamira Senate candidate Adams Mochenwa, who garnered 46,746 votes, faulted the PSC for what he termed as marginalisation of the youth.

Mochenwa said the listing violates what Ruto promised the youths during the campaigns in 2022.

“It is against the will of the President, who promised several times  on his campaign trail, that the youth will play a pivotal role in realising the Kenyan dream and he will mentor and train them to steer our country forward,” Mochenwa said.

The list has elicited mixed reactions after it appeared that most of the candidates who made it to the shortlist are political ‘retirees'.

Former governors who served for two terms, governors who served for one term and lost in the second and deputy governors dominate the list.

“The PSC chose to select retired public servants, rejected leaders, socialite bimbos and former governors at the expense of sagacious and ingenious youths of our great nation,” Mochenwa added.

In 2022, Fikirini Jacobs, an ardent ODM supporter, decried missing out on the final list of EALA nominees.

Instead, ODM had Timothy Bosire, Winnie Odinga, Mohamed Diriye, Suleiman Shabal, Beatrice Askul and Justus Kizito.

Dagoretti South MP John Kiaire backed the reactions, saying the CAS position is supposed to be a training ground for future Cabinet secretaries.

Kiarie explained that CAS appointees should have shown leadership qualities but did not make it to ascend to leadership for whatever reason.

“It should be reserved for people who want to be mentored. CAS was created to offer internship for potential leaders,” Kiarie said.

Former governors include Evans Kidero (Nairobi), who also lost the Homa Bay governor seat,  and Patrick Khaemba (Trans Nzoia).

Others are James Ongwae (Kisii), John Mruttu (Taita Taveta), Samuel Tuani (Narok) and Samuel Ragwa of Tharaka Nithi.

Mruttu was elected in office in 2013 and lost re-election in 2017 to Granton Samboja. 

Before getting into politics, Mruttu was the CEO of Kenya Petroleum Refineries Limited

Hussein Dado of Tana River and Moses Lenolkulal of Samburu also are in the list.

The list includes former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, Dennitah Ghati (PWD, Migori), Caleb Kositany (former Soy MP), Chris Wamalwa (former Kiminini MP), Charles Njaguar alias Jaguar (Starehe) and Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda).

President William Ruto's ally Denis Itumbi, former football star McDonald Mariga, former Kisumu Senator Fredrick Outa, Kirinyaga governor candidate Purity Wangui Ngirici, former nominated Senator Isaac Mwaura, ex-journalist Mwanaisha Chidzuga and former Makueni Deputy Governor Adelina Mwau also made it to the shortlist.

(Edited by V. Graham)