Youths across institutions of higher learning in Kisumu have declared strong support for President William Ruto’s bid for a second term, praising the broad-based government for what they term unprecedented inclusion and development.
The students warned that the “worst mistake” Kenyan youths could make is rallying behind former Deputy President and DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of lacking a unifying national vision.
They lauded President Ruto for appointing Opiyo Wandayi and John Mbadi to key national positions, saying the Luo community has benefitted immensely from the new political arrangement. The students further hailed Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo for his community-focused initiatives, including support for widows and payment of school fees for needy students across Nyanza.
They also applauded the government’s rollout of the Nyota Fund, major infrastructure upgrades, and the Affordable Housing programme, saying these have created new opportunities for young people.
Vowing to keep off street protests, the students said politicians often exploit youths and end up being the biggest casualties of violent demonstrations.
Silas Adem, the Kisumu National Polytechnic student leader, urged young people to prioritize voter registration, noting that Dr. Omollo has spearheaded an aggressive ID and voter registration drive across the region.
“We are in a broad-based government; we will support Ruto and Raymond. But for now, let’s get out and register so that we can vote in 2027. We are the most affected by unemployment and leadership failures. Register as voters so that our voice is heard,” Adem said.
Melda Atieno, a youth leader at Kisumu Poly, welcomed the government’s efforts to launch various projects that she said have created jobs for young people. She urged President Ruto to continue investing in Kisumu and called on youths to voluntarily register as voters, expressing confidence that Kisumu will support the broad-based government beyond 2027.
Victor Otieno Omollo, another Kisumu youth leader, said young people will “stay where the former Prime Minister left them,” reiterating their support for the government and urging more development projects that will put money in youths’ pockets.
“I speak in the spirit of unity. President Ruto has created a nation with no boundaries or limitations. We are seeing development distributed across the country. Kenyans should give this broad-based government time. For the first time, stalled projects are being revived and completed,” he said.
Omollo added that the ongoing contest over who should “wear Raila Odinga’s shoes” should cease, arguing that the youth are not interested in kingpin politics but in opportunities and development that directly improve their lives.
