BY SHEM MANWA
As President Uhuru Kenyatta and Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga prepare to visit Gusii region this week, the two leaders are also set to meet various youth leaders from the community ranging from those in politics, media, academia and entrepreneurs.
Some of the youth leaders who have attracted a lot of attention and admiration both in mashinani and nationally include;
1. DON BOSCO, 39
After suffering in Tanzanian jails for almost six years over allegations of money laundry, the flamboyant politician Don Bosco Gichana came back to the country to a thunderous welcome of one the largest crowds ever to have gathered in Kisii.
A smooth operator who is well connected politically in the country, he is very close to the country’s dynasty club from Raila Odinga, Moi family, DP Ruto, VP Kalonzo, Wetangula etc.
He hails from Kitutu Chache North- Kisii County.
2. SAMWEL OKEMWA, 33,
Samwel Okemwa’s online influence has now moved to the grassroots and many in Kisii county hope that he will offer himself to be elected the county’s senator come 2022. He has managed to stand in for Senator Prof Sam Ongeri who has chosen to ‘see-no-evil, hear-no-evil’ in matters corruption in Kisii County government. Okemwa has exposed massive corruption and lethargy in the Ongwae led county government. Okemwa is a known ODM mobilizer, a close ally of former Primier Raila Odinga. Whenever Okemwa is in the country he spends a day or two in Raila’s Karen home.
Okemwa is an alumni of THE University of Nairobi’s Chiromo campus and York University in Toronto Canada where he graduated with a bachelor of science and Master of Science degrees respectively. He is currently enrolled for his 2nd masters degree in governance and public policy.
His videos continue to mock the Jubilee government for failing to deliver their pledges since 2013.
He hails from Nyaribari Masaba, Kisii County.
3. Tony Moturi Orwochi 33
The ODM party’s General Counsel (Lawyer) is influential given his position in the party that is very popular in Gusiiland. Tony is a super groundsman with immense network in Nyamira county. He gets along well with all leaders from the community and highly respected by his peers. He is likely to clinch the Borabu MP seat come 2022 if he goes for it. Tony commands respect in the party owing to his grasp of the law, politics and policy formulation, he has served the party diligently navigating through murky waters of nominations, discipline, branch leadership wrangles etc. He was appointed by the party leader to be secretary of a special task-force that reviewed the party’s internal processes alongside other top technical team members including the Executive Director Oduor Ongw’en, Finance Admin director Dr Kawino and party SG Edwin Sifuna
4. Irene Nyakerario Mayaka, 30
An ODM adherent, Irene Nyakerario is one of the most visible young ladies in the country.
She was nominated to the Nyamira County assembly by the ODM party as a goodwill gesture after she dedicated much of her time in mobilizing for Raila Odinga’s 2017 presidential campaign across the country. Her nomination was however contested by a 70 year old woman whose name was sneaked into the nomination list by her son one Dr Gekara who at the time was working as IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati’s personal assistant. She is yet to take over her role as nominated MCA since Dr Gekara’s mother is exploiting court process even after the Supreme Court ruled in Nyakerario’s favour. Currently Nyakerario is competing for the title of Madam President, in a reality TV series airing on KTN TV that profiles top young female leaders. She is a career banker and Gor Mahia/Man United fanatic, She hails from Bogichora, West Mugirango- Nyamira County.
5. Anthony Kibagendi, 36 SECRETARY FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS
Mr Anthony Kibagendi has vied on several occasions for Kitutu Chache-Mosocho parliamentary seat and lost. But he has not given up.
A renowned mobilizer, the 36-year-old is currently the Secretary for Youth Affairs, at the Presidency. He hails from Mosocho/Nyabururu, Kisii County.
6. JOEL OKENG’O NYAMBANE AKA GOVERNOR OKENG’O, 28 years old BUSINESSMAN
Probably one of the richest youth leaders from Gusii region, Joel Okeng’o Nyambane alias Governor Okeng’o is a Nairobi-based businessman.
Governor Okeng’o who is also into philanthropy is one of the sponsors of Children Angels of God, the largest children centre in Kawangware slums, Nairobi.
The 28 years old also sponsors several youth groups in Gusii land and 13 women groups in Nairobi. He hails from Kisii County.
7. NYAMBEGA GISESA 30, INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST AND LAWYER
Perhaps one of the most famous print investigative journalists in Kenya, Nyambega Gisesa made a name for himself from covering the Somalia-Alshabaab war which led to him being awarded the Journalist of the Year award.
Mr Gisesa, who was an aspirant in the 2017 general election, sponsors dozens of football clubs, has constructed sheds for bodaboda operators and market women traders.
Also a motivational speaker, he has started to distribute copies of his motivational book to schools for free. He hails from Nyamira County.
8. Architecture Dr Manduku the KPA MD
9. Eric Janganya ODM nominated MCA
10. Jeff Nyamboga -political operative
11. Dr Douglas Bosire- CEC
12. James Mamboleo- Advocate
13. Naftali Nyabuto
He is perhaps the most successful youth entrepreneur from the community, he runs an IT consulting company known as Tally International and owns the loyalty card Mzawadi both with a huge portfolio. He is a savvy project manager and one of the youngest CEOs in the country. He hails from West Mugirango, Nyamira county. He has consulted for various top politicians including governors and presidential candidates. He is best known for conducting accurate social research, marketing research and opinion polls.
14. Albert Amenya, 36, THE BANANA PEDDLER SHOW
You probably know him as the banana peddler because of his famous THE BANANA PEDDLER show which runs on various social media platforms. Albert is one the top journalists in the country, he holds a bachelor and masters degrees majoring in communication. His peers have branded him the best propagandist ever in East and South Africa. In 2017 he was a back stage ODM/Raila political messaging consultant, he has since shifted camps and seems to be allied to DP Ruto, Governors Mike Sonko and Zacharia Obado. Albert is the most networked journalist in Kenya, if he is not at Statehouse gardens during the national holiday reception then he is in parliament chatting with politicians across the political divide from majority leader Aden Duale, Simba Arati, Senator Malala, Sakaja John son, Moses Kuria, Hon Njoroge, senator Millicent Omanga, senator Elachi among others. He is a protege of Prof Herman Bond Manyora and Dr Onyango Ochieng Jnr.
Currently, the 36 –year-old runs the most popular political show on Facebook in the country.
He hails from Kisii County.
15. SILAS NYANCHWANI, 30, COLUMNIST AND LECTURER
Silas Nyanchwani is perhaps one of the most decorated youth from Gusii, at just 30 years, he holds a Master of Science degree from an Ivy league -Columbia University, New york, USA. He also holds a BA communication degree from the University of Nairobi. He is a columnist with the Standard Newspaper and a re-known social commentator. With his super political messaging skills one wonders why the two governors never offered him a communications portfolio given the fucked up messaging especially in Nyamira county.
16 Carol Mogere
A two time ODM nominated MCA in the Nyamira County assembly and a grassroots mobilizer for Raila Odinga, she is a consummate youth and women mobilizer. She is tagged to be the next Nyamira Woman rep come 2022 given her vast ground network and visibility in the county.
17. MOFFAT TEYA, 32, COUNTY ASSEMBLY SPEAKERS
Moffat Teya is one of the youngest speakers for a county assembly in Kenya. His leadership at the County Assembly of Nyamira has won him widespread admiration
18. NANCY OMWERI AKA NANA DIVA, 32
Nancy Omweri aka Nana Diva is the head of Egesa FM, the most popular radio station in Gusii land. She has also contributed to various philanthropic activities. She hails from Nyamira County.
19. Douglas Ogari- Jubilee Youth League chairman
20. Fred Amisi of the Fred Amisi Live show
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