Peter Salasya Launches Youth Movement, Faults Western Kenya MPs Who Praise William Ruto: "Selfish"
- Mumias East MP Peter Salasya believes the time has come for the Kenyan young population to champion their interests with their own
- He formed the Western Youth Movement through which he will mobilise the youth to challenge the political status quo
- One of the objects of the movement will be pushing for the extensive acquisition of IDs and voter's cards among young people
Mumias East MP Peter Salasya has launched the Western Youth Movement to bring together the youths from Western Kenya and used the platform to fault those MPs who went to the State House, saying they lacked goodwill for the people they represent.
Source: Twitter
Addressing journalists after a youth meeting at his Kisumu Ndogo residence in Mumias, Salasya said he would ensure that every young person has the opportunity to be heard.
The meeting drew attendees from every constituency across the Western Kenya region.
"As a youth MP in parliament, I must protect the interests of other youths from this region. I want to state that my agenda is to make sure everyone has the opportunity to be heard by top leaders," Salasya said.
Why Western Kenya MPs are selfish
Salasya, who was in the company of, among others, Kakamega gubernatorial aspirant Sylvester Anami, faulted his colleagues for pursuing selfish interests, noting that many infrastructural projects had stalled and the leaders were busy praising President William Ruto instead of pushing for the completion of the said projects.
"Fellow MPs went to the state house to ask the president for developments, but nothing has happened; their work is to applaud William Ruto, yet our people are still suffering, our roads are impassable, and even Kakamega Airstrip is not functioning, but you will hear them praise Ruto," Salasya said.
At the same time, the youthful lawmaker took issue with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi's decision to fold his Amani National Congress (ANC) party to sign a working pact with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
Salasya observed that the contents of the merger pact did not capture the interests of the Western Kenya electorate.
"I saw Musalia Mudavadi's ANC dissolve to join a ruling party, UDA. The merge does not even benefit the Western Kenya people, especially the youths," the MP said.
What is Peter Salasya's plan with youth?
He invited more youth to join the Western Youth Movement, an outfit he intends to use in championing the rights and interests of the young people.
The movement will also push for extensive identity cards acquisition among the youths with which they will reserve their rights to vote in the 2027 vote.
"Western Youth Movement is not for the old generation but the youth of this country. I will make sure we go for what is ours. My aim as a leader is to make sure every youth has an identity and a voter card. I will move to every corner of this country just to educate youths on the importance of voting," he stated.
He called on the residents of all five counties in Western to decamp from ODM and join his movement.
Source: Facebook
According to him, the ODM party had for a time used the voters there for their leader's benefit without regard for the challenges bedevilling the people.
"The ODM party has taken our people for granted; in every election after losing, its leaders join the ruling government, leaving followers in the cold. The party lacks patriotism to Kenyans, and it is our mandate to claim our country back from selfish leaders," Salasya said.
Who will challenge Peter Salasya in Mumias East MP seat?
Meanwhile, former Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali has expressed interest in contesting for his former seat.
Washiali, who served the constituency in the National Assembly for three consecutive terms starting in 2007, chose not to run in 2022.
His absence paved the way for Salasya to secure the position as a first-time legislator under the DAP Kenya party ticket.
After a five-year break from politics, Washiali now plans to return to Parliament.
Washiali accused Salasya of engaging in activities that tarnish the constituency's reputation and threaten its longstanding moral values.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Kai Eli (Politics and current affairs editor) Eli Kai is currently working with TUKO as a politics and current affairs editor. He has two years of experience in digital journalism. He has been feted for his meritorious coverage of Kenya's 2022 General Election. Eli joined Tuko.co.ke in 2021. Email: eli.odaga@tuko.co.ke
Asher Omondi (Copyeditor) Asher Omondi is a political and current affairs editor with over six years of experience in digital media. Previously, he had worked in various organisations both as a social media manager and a monitor (FEMNET, Ghafla Kenya). He was a Broadcast Journalism student at the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication class of 2013. You can reach Asher at asher.omondi@tuko.co.ke.
