County bosses pledge to better lives of youth and women

Governors react to a video address by President Uhuru Kenyatta at the devolution conference in Kakamega County. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru who is the CoG vice chairperson admitted that previous sessions excluded issues on youth and women.
  • The conference opened Tuesday with an address by President Uhuru Kenyatta via video link.

Governors last evening pledged to help better lives of the youth and women in a bid to expand impact of devolution.

On the opening session of the conference, the Council of Governors (CoG) said this will  help make these two groups more useful in the society.

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru who is the CoG vice chairperson admitted that previous sessions excluded issues on youth and women.

“For many years, women and youth have been silent on matters devolution. This year, we seek to open up a platform for women and the youth to speak out on matters pertinent to them, owing to the fact that the ultimate impact of devolution is felt at the grassroots and the greatest beneficiaries are these two groups,” said Governor Waiguru.

CoG said it had invited some 300 young men and women from across counties to take part in the conference to give views on how governors should work with them.

At a panel discussion, Kenya Commercial Bank Chief Executive Officer Joshua Oigara said his bank is ready to finance small businesses  involved in creating jobs.

“We see county governments as the next frontier for growth and the country’s economic structure will be shaped around them,” Mr Oigara said.

He added “We look forward to being a facilitator of this change that is bound to transform lives.”

The conference opened Tuesday with an address by President Uhuru Kenyatta via video link.