Nyambane's nod for State House race opens the door for our youth

 IEBC Chairman Wafulla Chebukati with Umoja Summit Party presidential candidate Walter Mongare (right) at Bomas of Kenya. May, 30, 20, 2022. [Samson Wire, Standard]

Mr Walter Mong’are alias Nyambane, formerly of Reddykyulass made history as the first presidential candidate to be cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for the August 9, 2022 General Election.

In my book, he has also broken the jinx of a generation always told they are leaders of tomorrow, yet that tomorrow never comes because yesteryears leaders have refused to relinquish leadership, mentor others and allow for succession and transition of political leadership.

In 2006/7 Reddykyulass (Walter Mong’are, Tony Njuguna and John Kiarie), Trublaq of the late Kevin Ombajo and the Institute for Education in Democracy (IED), where I was Executive Director, came together in a project dubbed, Vijana Tugutuke! Ni Time Yetu! voter awareness and registration campaign.

This project was conducted in collaboration with the defunct Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) working closely with the Registrar of Persons (in charge of issuance of National Identification Cards) and the media.

I mobilised the money, ECK, media and other partners, while the late Kevin Ombajo and Reddykyulass mobilised the artistes.

The teams of artistes – musicians, comedians, rappers, actors, the media and us, took to the road to create awareness on the importance for youth to participate in the democratic processes and be at the core of political decision-making by registering as voters, voting and presenting themselves for elections in the various electoral positions available.

We traversed the country and created a huge buzz and momentum, which saw incredible numbers of youth registered and vying for the 2007 elections.

We hosted music, drama, comedy and other infotainment events throughout the country in selected venues where the entry requirement was a national ID card or a voter’s card.

Those without voter’s card were registered at the infotainment venues by the ECK staff on standby. Those who didn’t have ID cards were urged to immediately apply before the next concert.

Applicants for ID cards increased exponentially and the 2007 elections witnessed a silent revolution through the participation of youth voters in large numbers for the very first time in the history of Kenya.

Umoja Summit Party presidential candidate Walter Mongare. [Jenipher Wachie, Standard]

Voter turnout was also impressively high. This campaign changed the face of voters forever. The participation of youth in the 2007, 2013, 2017 and now 2022, which began in 2007 has seen increased in national elections, politics and representation in all spheres.

This also influenced policy, legislation, budgeting and involvement of youth, persons with disabilities and women (also youth) like never before.

No doubt this campaign has made tremendous difference and in fact has been emulated by others.

Many youth, convinced by the message of this campaign presented themselves for elections successfully including Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie. There are many more who were involved in the campaign or were touched by the campaign, now serving in various political, executive and the judiciary. Politics was sanitised.

The sweetest cherry on top of this campaign was the clearance of Mr Walter Mong’are aka Nyambane to vie for the presidential seat this year. He most certainly is the VIJANA TUGUTUKE, NI TIME YET CAMPAIGN! grand master and we are all proud of him for keeping the faith and going for the ultimate prize.

While he may not win this time around because of the ethnic voting nature of our politics, he has certainly begun a slow revolution that will hopefully see the exit of the old political leaders and the incoming of the youthful leaders who will significantly and genuinely change our political landscape.

I also hope his presidential candidature offers an alternative for all those young voters who were planning to stay at home on election day because of what they claimed to be lack of an alternative candidate for them in the presidential election, so that we end voter apathy in Kenya.

He may not win this election but, Nyambane never give up, your future is very bright. Bravo and thank you for keeping our dream alive!