Invest in educating youths, Raila tells leaders

Cord leader Raila Odinga(middle),Machakos governor Alfred Mutua(left) and ODM Secretary Ababu Namwamba at the Ababu Namwmba Foundation 12th Anniversary at Crowne Plaza on 30th July 2015. [PHOTO:ANGELA MAINA/STANDARD].

Leaders from the Coalition of Reform and Democracy (CORD) have asked leaders to prioritise providing  education to the youth.

This, they said, would help in the fight against poverty and ignorance among Kenyans, which has long been a hindrance to development.

Speaking at the twelfth anniversary of the Ababu Namwamba Foundation, Budalang’i Member of Parliament Ababu Namwamba said the most valuable investment that can benefit the youth was education.

“Knowledge is the greatest possession that every leader who wants ultimate empowerment for his people should embrace. That is one of the measures to prove that a leader is committed to improving the lives of members of his community,” he said.

Namwamba said it was not the sole responsibility of the Government to empower the youth, and urged all leaders to use their influence to improve the welfare of young people .

“Our Government is doing what it can, which is commendable, but we all have a role to play as leaders of this country.”

CORD leader Raila Odinga reinforced the message and observed that US President Obama’s plea to invest in women and children was significant. “These are the two groups with the greatest potential to propel this country to growth. There is no compromise when it comes to investing in their education.”

The Ababu Namwamba Foundation has sponsored developmental projects in the constituency, which has seen the once dormant Bunyala Irrigation Scheme grow from a 500 to 2,000 acres project. Needy students have also had their education sponsored through the Bunyala Education Scheme.

Juma Victor, a benefactor of this programme, was grateful to have had a chance to get a university education. “This foundation has sponsored me right from high school to my Masters degree in Applied Mathematics, that I will be awarded by the University of Nairobi in September this year

SPONSORSHIP

I will be joining University of Sussex in the UK on sponsorship for my PhD, thereafter. The foundation has already catered for my air ticket and visa,” he said.

Machakos Governor Dr Alfred Mutua, who was also present at the event, lauded the foundation, and noted that every leader should deal with the challenges facing his community. “In Machakos, we have Maendeleo Chap Chap initiative, Budalang’i has Ababu Namwamba Foundation; this means as leaders we do have the solution to our own problems.

“We have no need to wait for aid from foreigners for us to act.”

A fund raiser was later held during which the leaders present  pledged to donate money for the foundation.