Don't profile Mt Kenya youth as Mungiki – woman rep

Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina has defended youths from the Central region against being profiled as members of the outlawed Mungiki sect.

Maina said the reputation of the region’s youths remains unquestionable and is beyond reproach and as such has already requested President William Ruto to help protect them against generalized speech attacks.

The Woman Rep said as one of the regional leaders, she is actively involved and remains committed to offering guidance and assisting the youths to engage in constructive activities.

She cited the affirmative-funded government projects in which she has been impressing the youths to form groups and register to be funded for their financial empowerment benefits.

To secure the future of the youths, the woman rep said she has equally launched mindset training, mental wellness programmes and talent search campaigns to identify talented youths in various disciplines.

She said her efforts are paying off as more youths are responding to the clarion call of abandoning criminal activities and are now sharpening their skills and occupied with economically progressive activities thus contributing to nation-building.

Maina called on the youths to be responsible and refrain from being recruited into banned cliques and illegal organizations that risk spelling doom to their future and destabilising the peace of the country.

“I want to appeal to our young people not to allow themselves to be recruited into Mungiki and other illegal groups. I have since talked to the president to protect our youths against being labelled as Mungiki members,” she said.

“I assured him that I will continue offering wise guidance to them on how to continue being responsible citizens.” 

Maina also called on the youths to limit their penchant for alcohol and abandon illicit brews which risk ruining their lives.

She said her office will continue assisting young people through occupational abilities training to sharpen their vocational skills.

Maina who also lauded the government over its consideration in establishing an Expo-Processing Zone in the county said, it would go a long way in tapping into the skills of the youths, curbing unemployment.

Maina spoke in Thiba grounds, Mwea during the launch of the ‘Cheza Game na Global Appeal’ tournament.

It marked the culmination of the 90-day public sensitization programme across the county dubbed as ‘The Tripple Threat Campaign.’

The campaign was launched three months ago and explored ways to curb Gender-Based Violence, and teen pregnancies and promote mental health wellness across Kirinyaga.  

The lawmaker said football winners will meet head to head with winners from the central region counties after which the winners will progress to the national level.

The tournament’s champions will bag a coveted Sh1 million prize and a trip to the United Kingdom where they will also get an opportunity to visit some of the prestigious global football clubs for mentorship.

Her sentiments were echoed by Baragwi MCA David Mathenge who also said Kirinyaga youths are too busy empowering themselves and as such are not gullible and have no time to be recruited into the Mungiki sect.

“In Kirinyaga we don’t have Mungiki members because we are too busy with meaningful activities that will add value to our lives. Our youths did not also participate in recent demos because we did not also have time for that,” he said.

He called on residents to continue supporting the woman rep’s initiatives as she is dedicated to continuing defending their interests.