Nyanza youth warned against falling for DP Ruto’s hustler narrative

Businessman Jared Otieno addresses residents of Homa Bay County at his home in Ndhiwa constituency on October 11, 2020. [James Omoro, Standard]

The youth in Homa Bay County have been told to be wary of Deputy President William Ruto’s Hustler Movement, saying the DP will dump them after 2022 polls.

Businessman Jared Otieno faulted the hustler narrative which is gaining ground in the region, saying it is a political pony scheme being used to lure them.

 Otieno who spoke during a consultative forum for Jared Otieno Foundation at his Thuon Gweno village home in Ndhiwa constituency on Sunday said the hustler narrative may mislead youth.

He argued that what Ruto calls empowerment through the Hustler movement cannot transform the lives of the youth.

“Giving someone a wheelbarrow and hand-driven cart cannot change their lives. Why can’t he empower the youth better through systems in the government?” Otieno asked.

He accused Ruto of taking the youth for granted.

The businessman argued that targeting the youth in such a programme is tantamount to luring them into the DP’s 2022 presidential bid without changing their lives.

“We respect Dr Ruto as our deputy president but let him stop taking youth for granted. Let him respect the youth,” Otieno said.

He told the youth in the area to avoid falling in Ruto’s trap.

“His actions portray him as someone who is seeking political support from the youth without helping them,” he added.

The businessman’s comments came after the Hustler Movement Nyanza region coordinator Eliud Owalo and his colleague in charge of Homa Bay County Everest Okambo commissioned the movement in Homa Bay town last Tuesday.

Otieno who is eyeing Homa Bay gubernatorial seat urged the youth in the county to give elected leaders time to serve the people.

“The youth will be perceived as people who like chaos for no reason if they start criticising the serving elected leaders. Give the leaders time to serve the people so that they don’t blame anybody in case of failure,” he said.

Otieno said his foundation will continue to empower the youth and women through education, sports, agriculture and other income-generating activities.

The function was attended by the Homa Bay County Assembly Majority Leader John Kiasa, Kibiri MCA Michael Odira and his Kendu Bay Town counterpart Morris Ogwang’, businesspersons, youths and women from all eight constituencies in Homa Bay county