Leaders of the Siaya County University and College Students’ Caucus have declared their support for President William Ruto’s administration, rejecting calls by some opposition figures to return to street protests.
The students also urged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to establish voter registration centers within universities and technical colleges to boost youth participation in elections.
Speaking at a press briefing, former President of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology Mr. Joel Odidi, criticized proposals by some members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to mobilize street demonstrations saying that their stand as the young people of Nyanza is to be in the broad-based government arrangement under the leadership of President William Ruto.
Clinton Obala, another student leader, announced that the caucus had submitted a proposal to the government and IEBC requesting that voter registration bases be set up at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University and other institutions of higher learning.
While reaffirming their loyalty to the “broad-based government” and urging fellow youth to embrace voter registration as part of their civic duty, he argued that students often lack time to travel to registration centers, and locating them on campuses would increase youth turnout, adding that the caucus had unanimously resolved to support the current government.
Obala emphasized that the Luo community had struggled for decades to be part of national leadership and would remain aligned with the ruling coalition until when they are ready to field their own presidential candidate.
Clinton Oyaya, a third-year student at Jaramogi University’s Siaya campus, praised the Ruto administration for delivering on promises of development.
He cited the rollout of the Social Health Authority, which he said had expanded access to healthcare, and the affordable housing program, which he described as key to elevating Kenya to first-world status.
