National Youth Council Presidential contender Mwenda applauds Governor Njuki’s peace and youth empowerment record
Tharaka Nithi County Youth President Mr Eric Mwenda and the National Youth Council presidential contender. Photo/Alex Njeru.
By Jeniffer Kyunguti and Faith Mwanza
Tharaka-Nithi County Youth President and the NYOTA Ambassador for Tharaka-Nithi County Eric Mwenda has praised Governor Muthomi Njuki’s leadership, saying his administration has created a conducive environment for young people and residents while transforming the county into a model of peace and youth empowerment.
Speaking to Mt Kenya Times , Mwenda who is also the county’s National Youth Council representative said Governor Njuki’s record in empowering young people, promoting peace and investing in youth development makes him a strong candidate for the Tharaka-Nithi Senate seat in the 2027 General Election.
“Governor Njuki has demonstrated that when young people are given opportunities and included in governance, they become partners in development. His administration has remained accessible to the youth and that has created a peaceful and progressive county,” Mwenda said.
Mwenda, a university graduate who is currently contesting for the National Youth Council presidency, said the governor’s second term has witnessed remarkable achievements that have elevated the profile of Tharaka-Nithi nationally and internationally.
He cited the county’s participation in the 2023 Youth Connect Africa Summit in Nairobi, where he led the Tharaka-Nithi delegation that showcased youth innovations and inventions before delegates from across Africa.
“Our delegation was praised for presenting innovative solutions to emerging challenges facing young people and the recognition by then Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba motivated many young innovators from our county,” he said.
According to Mwenda, Tharaka-Nithi has also made significant strides in nurturing talent, noting that during last year’s International Youth Day celebrations the county improved its national ranking from position 20 to position 13 in youth talent development.
He further described the county’s handling of the June 2024 Gen Z protests as one of the clearest examples of Governor Njuki’s collaborative leadership.
“Tharaka-Nithi remained peaceful throughout the demonstrations. There were no deaths, destruction of property or violent protests. We engaged as youth leaders and promoted dialogue, allowing businesses and normal activities to continue uninterrupted,” Mwenda told Mt Kenya Times.
Mwenda also lauded the implementation of the NYOTA Programme, saying Tharaka-Nithi emerged among the country’s top ten counties in youth registration, enabling many young people to benefit from government empowerment funds.
He noted that Governor Njuki further supported beneficiaries by announcing free driving licence training within the county to improve their employability.
On environmental conservation, Mwenda said Tharaka-Nithi’s participation in the Africa Youth Climate Assembly in Ethiopia reflected the county’s commitment to tree planting and climate action initiatives championed by the county government.
National youth policy
He also welcomed ongoing efforts to strengthen the National Youth Policy, saying it would expand opportunities for young people, promote equitable access to national resources and expose Kenyan youth to continental opportunities.
Mwenda recalled attending the Amani Youth Summit in Eldoret, presided over by Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs, where he challenged leaders from the 47 counties to emulate Tharaka-Nithi’s peaceful environment.
“Since Governor Njuki began his second term, our county has enjoyed peace and close collaboration between the government and young people. That environment has encouraged development and investment,” he said.
Among the programmes he credited to the county administration are the employment of road marshals, empowerment of youth groups, community-based organisations and clubs, investment in sports through construction of stadiums and sponsorship of teams.
Others are; support for vocational training through county polytechnics, employment of young professionals including nurses and ECDE teachers and the formulation of the Tharaka-Nithi Youth Policy to institutionalise youth participation in governance.
Mwenda said he intends to champion similar youth-centred policies nationally if elected President of the National Youth Council, adding that his experience representing young people in Tharaka-Nithi has prepared him to advocate for youth empowerment across Kenya.
He maintained that Governor Njuki’s leadership record and commitment to youth development make him well placed to serve the people of Tharaka-Nithi in the Senate after the 2027 General Election.
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