By Georgina Akoth, DevReporter, Kisumu County
Key Points
• The next leadership in line should focus on the social welfare of the people as a way of addressing the issue of high cost of living in the coming years.
• Leaders should find ways of solving the case of youth unemployment.
As Kenya approaches the general election on the 9 August 2022, the electorate, Men, Women and Youth alike, must consider their choices carefully and plan to elect leaders who are going to serve them well and help them solve the challenges affecting the country.
DevReporters are venturing out into their specific rural communities to engage citizens directly on the importance of taking part in the coming general elections. The media fraternity as a whole, should keep in mind its our duty of reminding the youth that their votes count and that they should come out in large numbers and vote for leaders of their choice.
High Cost of Living
The High cost of living has been a major concern in recent years. Kenyans have been forced to dig deeper into their pockets in order to afford a meal.
The prices of many basic items like Maize flour and Cooking Oil, continue to increase, making it hard for people to afford a decent living.
Recently the price of maize flour went up to Ksh230 from Ksh100 for 2kg, while a loaf of bread, a common breakfast meal in Kenya, is now selling at Ksh60 from Ksh50.
Winston Omondi, a resident of Kisumu County, airs out how the high cost of living has affected Kenyans and what the next government should do to address the issue.
“Much has been done by the National Government on infrastructure, the next government should plan to focus on the social welfare of Kenyans so that we don’t experience the case of high cost of living in the coming years”
Youth Unemployment Crisis
Unemployment has also been one of the core issues affecting the youth due to lack of job opportunities.
Pamela Atieno, a resident of Kisumu County, opted to work at construction sites dubbed “Mjengo” due to lack of job opportunities in her line of study despite having a college certificate. Pamela reminds leaders expecting to be elected to office, to find ways of solving the puzzle of lack of job opportunities.
“As the elections approach, all we are asking is for peace, leaders should accept the election results and those elected to serve us in the next government should remember the youths and create employment for them”.
https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/kenya/calling-young-people-participate-elections_en?s=352
https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/local/where-are-the-youth-of-kenya-in-the-2022-general-election-pulse-editors-opinion/xv897pp.amp
