30-year-old Molo MP Kuria Kimani was on Sunday, February 9 elected as the first Chairperson of the Africa Young Parliamentarians Caucus on the sidelines of the ongoing African Union (AU) summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Kimani, an active member of the Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association (KYPA), was elected by young lawmakers from various countries.
Among the young MPs who endorsed Kimani for the position was high-profile Ugandan artist cum lawmaker Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine.
Taking up the role, Kimani promised to fight for youth voices to be heard when key decisions affecting the continent are made.
"I am honored to be elected the chairperson. The caucus will spearhead matters of good governance and involvement of young people across Africa.
"The challenges of the young person in Kenya is the same as that of a youth in Ghana, Ethiopia, Morocco and South Sudan," he wrote on Facebook.
Kimani vowed to support efforts to combat corruption in Africa blaming the vice for many challenges faced by the youth.
"Money stolen through corruption steals the future of the young youth. It’s the youth that will pay the debts that go into corruption," he asserted.
He was congratulated by some of his supporters who urged him to work for the youth in his new position.
"We thank God for you and for this far. Congratulations mhesh. Represent us well and keep soaring the heights," wrote one Nginahkelly Kimani.
"Africa and the world will taste the breed of apt leadership Molo got to offer.Keep rising my boss. Hongera sana for this global recognition," shared Elijah Njoroge.
"Congratulations mhesh for making Nakuru proud and Kenya at large," Wairimu Musindi asserted.
Kimani infamously made headlines in July 2019 when he had to be whisked out of a public meeting at Elburgon in Molo Constituency as a section of residents accused him of showing up while intoxicated.
The MP had seemed a bit incoherent and disoriented as he stood to address the gathering on illicit brews, causing some residents to threaten to beat him up. Kimani later apologized over the incident.
