By Betty Luke
The 2027 race for Wabera MCA seat is slowly taking shape with young leaders stepping up to take charge.
Among them is Benson Kimathi popularly known as Bena who recently launched his bid for the usually highly contested seat, calling for unity, inclusivity, and youth-driven change.
“We the young people are now mature enough and know what exactly we need. Unity is our main idea,” he said.
He emphasized the need to bring together all communities in Isiolo, saying inclusivity was key to prosperity. “We want to ensure everyone is engaged because there is enough for everyone”.
If elected, Kimathi hopes to advocate for water harvesting mechanisms to curb flooding during rainy season and improve livelihoods. He said with proper harvesting mechanisms, residents would no longer experience water shortage nor lose lives and property to floods.
“It is unfortunate that Isiolo is always in a crisis. We are either suffering water shortage or aftermath of floods. There is a lot that can be done but nothing has been done,” he said, faulting the current leadership.
Mr Kimathi faulted the MCAs over alleged unfairness in the distribution of bursaries, saying his leadership would correct the mess to ensure deserving learners get requisite support to advance to the highest level of education.
“We’ve on several occasions heard of needy students dropping out of school due to lack of finances while the county government issues bursaries. Who are the beneficiaries? Can’t the MCAs put in proper legislations to ensure fair distribution of the funds?” he posed.
2022 Isiolo North MP aspirant Fatuma Ali stressed the importance of youthful, homegrown leadership terming it as the only way to address the myriad of challenges facing the residents.
“We are tired voting in people who’ve come from other places. We’ve agreed this time round we are supporting bonafide residents,” she said.
She said disunity had in the past denied locals opportunities and therefore need for young people to be extra cautious on the leaders they put into office.
“We’ve suffered enough. This time, we’ll vet leaders carefully. We are ready for youth-led change,” she added.
Her sentiments were echoed by Veronica Kathure, a resident, who said time had come for fresh leaders who would spur change.
“We want leaders who understand us, who know our pain. Not outsiders with no clue about our struggles,” she said.
