ODM national treasurer Hon. Omingo Magara is a young turk to beat in South Mugirango constituency. He said this at Mitchel Hall in Makerere University on a Saturday evening on 8th. He was presenting a public lecture on ‘ Kenya at cross-roads’ to Kenyan students and ODM supporters at Makerere University, Kampala-Uganda.
He stated his unwavering commitment to the party and its major concern to integrate the youth in the country’s leadership.
His assertion can be founded way back in 2005 after the infamous plebiscite in which the pro-banana camp lost to the orange camp. He was approached by the powers that be to join its ranks. It was an offer worth grabbing. However, he declined, stating that he was in ODM to stay.
The MP attributed the bedrocks bedevilling the Kenyan youth on, “Lack of accountability, democracy and good governance.”
With the old guard still tightly clenched in leadership positions, the youth have remained as the wretched of the earth. He pointed out that he found it difficult to contest and eventually win the South Mugirango parliamentary seat in 2002. Because of the challenge-phobic, degrading and retrogressive status quo of old turks, for which his mentor represented, he almost lost his life. He was considered as a youth and therefore was expected to take a back seat from politics for a little longer.
The status quo, established and maintained by the old guard is allergic to facing challenge from the younger generation that has ventured into the political field.
“Most leadership (of the old guard) refused to accept desired change,” he said. “Their history is tainted. Minus power, they can’t manage it.”
“They must be plugged” from their stations by the youth who are the strong, committed and patient lot. “Till when are the youths going to wait? We’ve had elderly leaders but no tangible change.”
On the much publicised talk of 6% economic growth, he dismisses this as a hoax. Real economic development should be felt by the poor, which the 6% failed to address. The rich have instead grown richer. The poor, thanks to the ugly ghosts of Anglo-leasing, Goldenberg and other forms of corruption, have degenerated into deeper graves of poverty. No wonder, he decried that, “Corruption is a highly rewarding business (sic!). It has higher returns with zero risks involved. That explains why Kenya is 40 times behind the Asian tigers like South Korea in development. Incidentally, at independence, Kenya was South Korea’s contemporary on an economic development platform. It is such corruption that has lain a debt of Ksh. 780 billion, which the current generation and posterity will continue servicing.
While selling ODM’s agenda to the youth (read today’s leaders’), he urged them to go out and challenge the status quo whatever the circumstances. He proffers his own example as someone who defied all threats to fight for the South Mugirango seat in 2002. Despite being looked down upon by the opponents as a youth, he still emerged victorious.
The spirit of change in Kenya is ripe. It is time for the young people to get their fair share of leadership positions. There is no going back. No wonder, he noted that if a calf is being born, even when you tie it with a rope, it will still come out.
“Our future is today. We must grab it,” he added.
However, he warns, that such change from old guard to the youth won’t come that easily. He feels ashamed with the current whims of ‘Vijana na Kibaki’ (the youth for Kibaki). When it is eating time, it is ‘Wazee na Kibaki’ (the elderly with Kibaki). The tune turns sour ‘Vijana na Kibaki’ when it is time to lobby for support to enable them to make it back to power.
Hon. Magara urged the Kenyan electorate to use their leaders’ performance CVs as a voting measure.
“They should vote for ODM team, and not for individuals.” He reiterated that ODM is a team with a captain. This team is committed to let go and leave when their time comes. It is a team that wants to set a positive historical precedent to be emulated by future leaders. Such a team can’t stand with a black history to taint and haunt them unlike the predecessors.
He added that ODM as a team is steadfast to devolve power from state house. There will be no more going to the house on the hill to “beg for a district.”
ODM is also determined to see to it that women get into positions of leadership and business. Women are responsible and hardworking and should not be sidelined from the leadership arena. The party will empower the youth by formulating practical policies that will positively impact on them.
On another note, he discarded the perception that ODM lacks backing from Central Kenya.
“ODM is going to get votes from Central Kenya , especially from the youth.”
On a lighter level, he commended Kenyans for their patience.
“Kenyans are very patient people. God has heard us.”
The meeting, which ended at 11: 40 pm, was organised by ODM Makerere University Chapter.
He stated his unwavering commitment to the party and its major concern to integrate the youth in the country’s leadership.
His assertion can be founded way back in 2005 after the infamous plebiscite in which the pro-banana camp lost to the orange camp. He was approached by the powers that be to join its ranks. It was an offer worth grabbing. However, he declined, stating that he was in ODM to stay.
The MP attributed the bedrocks bedevilling the Kenyan youth on, “Lack of accountability, democracy and good governance.”
With the old guard still tightly clenched in leadership positions, the youth have remained as the wretched of the earth. He pointed out that he found it difficult to contest and eventually win the South Mugirango parliamentary seat in 2002. Because of the challenge-phobic, degrading and retrogressive status quo of old turks, for which his mentor represented, he almost lost his life. He was considered as a youth and therefore was expected to take a back seat from politics for a little longer.
The status quo, established and maintained by the old guard is allergic to facing challenge from the younger generation that has ventured into the political field.
“Most leadership (of the old guard) refused to accept desired change,” he said. “Their history is tainted. Minus power, they can’t manage it.”
“They must be plugged” from their stations by the youth who are the strong, committed and patient lot. “Till when are the youths going to wait? We’ve had elderly leaders but no tangible change.”
On the much publicised talk of 6% economic growth, he dismisses this as a hoax. Real economic development should be felt by the poor, which the 6% failed to address. The rich have instead grown richer. The poor, thanks to the ugly ghosts of Anglo-leasing, Goldenberg and other forms of corruption, have degenerated into deeper graves of poverty. No wonder, he decried that, “Corruption is a highly rewarding business (sic!). It has higher returns with zero risks involved. That explains why Kenya is 40 times behind the Asian tigers like South Korea in development. Incidentally, at independence, Kenya was South Korea’s contemporary on an economic development platform. It is such corruption that has lain a debt of Ksh. 780 billion, which the current generation and posterity will continue servicing.
While selling ODM’s agenda to the youth (read today’s leaders’), he urged them to go out and challenge the status quo whatever the circumstances. He proffers his own example as someone who defied all threats to fight for the South Mugirango seat in 2002. Despite being looked down upon by the opponents as a youth, he still emerged victorious.
The spirit of change in Kenya is ripe. It is time for the young people to get their fair share of leadership positions. There is no going back. No wonder, he noted that if a calf is being born, even when you tie it with a rope, it will still come out.
“Our future is today. We must grab it,” he added.
However, he warns, that such change from old guard to the youth won’t come that easily. He feels ashamed with the current whims of ‘Vijana na Kibaki’ (the youth for Kibaki). When it is eating time, it is ‘Wazee na Kibaki’ (the elderly with Kibaki). The tune turns sour ‘Vijana na Kibaki’ when it is time to lobby for support to enable them to make it back to power.
Hon. Magara urged the Kenyan electorate to use their leaders’ performance CVs as a voting measure.
“They should vote for ODM team, and not for individuals.” He reiterated that ODM is a team with a captain. This team is committed to let go and leave when their time comes. It is a team that wants to set a positive historical precedent to be emulated by future leaders. Such a team can’t stand with a black history to taint and haunt them unlike the predecessors.
He added that ODM as a team is steadfast to devolve power from state house. There will be no more going to the house on the hill to “beg for a district.”
ODM is also determined to see to it that women get into positions of leadership and business. Women are responsible and hardworking and should not be sidelined from the leadership arena. The party will empower the youth by formulating practical policies that will positively impact on them.
On another note, he discarded the perception that ODM lacks backing from Central Kenya.
“ODM is going to get votes from Central Kenya , especially from the youth.”
On a lighter level, he commended Kenyans for their patience.
“Kenyans are very patient people. God has heard us.”
The meeting, which ended at 11: 40 pm, was organised by ODM Makerere University Chapter.
Joshua Masinde
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