Activists sue CS Anne Waiguru over youth council

NAIROBI: Five activists now want Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru summoned in court over the National Youth Council Act, which they claim is unconstitutional.

Charles Kaiya, Leah Thanji, Kelvin Njihia, Wilson Njure and Edwin Nyagitare say the Act and the National Youth Council (NYC) are illegal and do not represent Kenyan youths.

They want Waiguru to explain why she has been funding the council. They are aggrieved that Waiguru approves and implements activities of the said council.

"The Devolution Cabinet Secretary has breached the Constitution by not reforming the National Youth Council," they said. The activists claim the Act is unconstitutional because it has never been amended after the implementation of the Kenyan Constitution in 2010.

"One of the board members of the council is a member of a county assembly and he therefore breaches the Constitution, the Political Parties Act and National Youth Act," Mr Njihia said. Njihia stated that Samuel Chepkwony, one of the listed respondents, is a Nandi County Assembly member representing Tenderet Ward.

He said the council should be investigated for corruption because members have been receiving remunerations and salaries, yet they do not perform their duties.

The activists have named Waiguru, her Principal Secretary and the Public Procurement Oversight Authority as respondents. Others listed as respondents are NYC, its secretary, members and the Attorney General. Members listed are Chepkwony, Julie Njeri, Clement Ayungo, Fatima Abubakar, Paul Mugambi, Nesphory Nyage and Jackline Akinyi.