Kilifi County has unveiled its first youth assembly which adopts a parliamentary system of operation, swearing in a 24-year-old girl as the first-ever youth assembly President for the County.
The event was marked in color and pomp at the Malindi Cleopatra grounds.
Jacinta Mbeyu Sanga a fourth-year student pursuing Law at Kabarak University was sworn in alongside his Deputy president Dennis Kazungu, together with 10 Cabinet secretaries.
The exercise was presided over by Malindi Chief Magistrate Dr. Julie Oseko.
Kilifi Speaker Jimmy Kahindi was the Chief Guest at the ceremony and he later oversaw the swearing-in of 35 Members of parliament from every ward at the County assembly.
The youth assembly is unique as its mode of operation is the parliamentary system and seeks to help in the formulation of policies at the grassroots level and also nurture youth in leadership from an early age so as to be able to tap various leadership talents within the society and
Ms. Mbeyu who was dressed in an official suit took the oath of office and shall serve for three years.
There was pomp and color as all the leaders who were sworn in came with families, spouses, and relatives and were dressed the same way elected leaders dress in suits.
Ms. Mbeyu was accompanied by her father and other close relatives and immediately after the swearing-in, she was dressed in Giriama traditional regalia, and after signing all the relevant documentation for accepting office was given the instruments of power that included a shield and a spear.
In her acceptance speech, she thanked the people for believing in her and called for cooperation with her Cabinet Secretaries, MPs, and even the elected leadership of Kilifi so as to help move forward as the youth assembly.
She is a firstborn in a family of six said with their policy they would conduct youth barazas and shall collect issues from the community and then present them to the youth assembly for deliberation.
“Once passed by the youth assembly it will be forwarded to the county assembly because the youth assembly does not have the mandate to pass laws,” she said.
She thanked all those who came to join them in the ceremony and promised them that despite the fact that the youth assembly was new it is going to greater heights.
“We shall be having youth barazas we shall need you as a community and youth must come in large numbers because it’s through your contribution that we can come up with policies that can champion the development of our county.
The Deputy President-elect on his part thanked all those who trusted him and the president for giving them an opportunity to serve in the office.
He said it’s time youth must come out and move away from the notion that there are no jobs as they are the majority and have the ability to push for their agenda.
“We have to make certain decisions so as to see our issues go straight, mostly we here Europeans saying you must think out of the box, but I want us to move away from that notion and think as if the box does not exist,” he said.
The Chief magistrate commended the president-elect and her team and specifically for allowing a woman to lead the Kilifi youth assembly saying it shows that people have begun having confidence in women.
Ms. Oseko said previously women were supposed to be in the kitchen but now that Ms. Mbeyu who is also a law student is being seen in such a position shows there is goodwill for women in leadership.
The magistrate said at the Malindi law courts all the magistrate’s courts are led by women and urged the youth to ensure they go out there and mentor their fellow youths to start appreciating leadership and political aspirations.
“We hope that even though you are not officially in the cabinet we hope to see you in those official positions in the future, ” she said
She asked them to operate with dignity and integrity so as to be able to mentor the young people.
The Kilifi speaker said he has been very supportive of the newly elected youth assembly leaders and asked them to feel free to come and seek guidance at the county assembly.
Mr. Kahindi challenged the youth leaders to begin mentoring their fellow youths and ensure they sensitize them to register as voters.
Also present were the President of National Youth Assembly Ali Sudi, Mombasa youth Assembly president Mbarak Mbarak, and Malindi law society officials.
Mr. Sudi urged the new Kilifi youth assembly leadership to ensure they operate with a lot of respect integrity as their actions will be reflected in the society.
Alfred Wanga the secretary General of Law society of Kenya said youth were heading in the right direction with the formation of the youth assembly as youth are supposed to take over leadership positions.
