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{
    "id": 1337371,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1337371/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 298,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Funyula, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr) Ojiambo Oundo",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "spheres. It is also why we see a number of young leaders and some youthful older men doing their bit inside this House. As you are aware, we have not had the National Youth Council since the term of the Council expired in 2019. It was due to be held in 2020. However, it was not held because of the COVID-19, and the regulations were not in place. They came much later. I appreciate the efforts by my colleague to change the composition of the National Youth Council under Clause 5 of the parent Act from eight youths selected by the youth in such a manner as may be prescribed and appointed by the Minister, to nine youths nominated through a competitive process by the Cabinet Secretary responsible for youth affairs. There is a trap therein. There is a danger of robbing the youth of their democratic right of electing people of their choice. However competitive the process is, it is very unlikely that the youth from Rhamu at the tip of Mandera, youth from Moyale in Marsabit County, youth from Karongo towards Tanzania, and youth from Loitokitok will be considered for appointment. Chances are that it will end up being the most voluble noise makers all over social forums - through their political networks - that get those positions. I will consult my colleagues on the sides before we go to the Committee of the whole House stage so that, instead of having youth nominated through a competitive process by the Cabinet Secretary responsible for youth affairs, we cluster the country into zones. The youth elect their representatives who will come to sit in the council, where the voice of the youth will be heard squarely. The sponsor of the Bill has changed (g) of subsection 1, and he has left (h) intact. In the same manner… Essentially, we will still have a problem. I will request him to retain the election but ensure that we cluster the country into zones so that each section of this country is represented to avoid discrimination and continued marginalisation of some regions. As my colleague has observed, how will the Cabinet Secretary know a youth in Kacheliba or a youth deep in the interior of this country? We need to have a look at the Bill. I hope the Member is listening. Secondly, there is a typo in Clause 4 of the Bill, which will probably be corrected in the Committee of the Whole House. What is referred to in Section 6, where we are talking about changing from the word “sub-location” to “wards,” is Section 6(1)(f) and not Section 6(1)(g). Those are amendments that we can make. But I want to urge my colleagues that we need to continuously empower our youth by giving them the opportunity and the forum to be heard and to exhibit and test their talents and skills. The National Youth Council was the best opportunity for them to exhibit their talents and skills. I would, therefore, urge the Cabinet Secretary to move with speed to hasten and reinstate the National Youth Council now that there is no COVID-19. I hope the regulations we passed in the last term are active and can be used. With those few remarks, I support, subject to the proposed amendments. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker."
}