Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Tuesday, October 12, revealed how he would form his Cabinet if he won the 2022 General Election.
While addressing youth from the Mount Kenya region at the University of Nairobi, Raila revealed that the youth would be directly involved in the running of the country and that at least four slots in his Cabinet would be below the age of 35.
Raila also stated that he would appoint a youth to head the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as they formed the majority of the Kenyan population living and working outside the country.
"In the Cabinet, at least any four cabinets, I can say it will be more than four," he stated.
The handshake partner also stated that he would appoint the youth in ambassadorial positions to look after their interests. He pledged to ensure adherence to the two-thirds gender rule in a bid to ensure gender inclusivity.
While dispelling any doubt, the former premier told the youth that they did not need to be convinced as he had already worked with them before.
The African Union High Representative For Infrastructure Development revealed that he had a round table with the youth while he was a Prime Minister in the grand coalition government.
"Jane should have told you here that when I was Prime Minister, I had a round table with the business community, and I also had a round table with the youth," Odinga reiterated.
Notably, he stated that the meetings were held on a quarterly basis. The round table discussions acted as a platform for the youth to give their feedback on the problems that affected them.
While campaigning for the top seat in 2013 and 2017, President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto rode on the youth agenda and promised to include them in their government.
However, in the current Cabinet comprising of 22 members, none of them is below the age of 35, the minimum age for one to be considered a youth.
However, some youth have been appointed as Chief Administrative Secretaries. These include David Osiany (Industrialization), Mercy Mwangangi (Health), Zack Kinuthia (Sports) and Nadia Ahmed Abdallah (ICT).
