Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has praised the energy and vision of young leaders from Tharaka Nithi County after a powerful meeting at his Wamunyoro Residence. The group included university students, student leaders, and youth mobilizers drawn from across the region.
Gachagua said the young people made a strong statement about their commitment to listening to the voices of their community. He called their approach people-centred and visionary, saying they had no plans of turning back from their mission.
The youth leaders presented challenges they face both at home and at their universities. A major point of concern was the current university funding model, which they said is broken and unfair to many students across the country.
The group explained that the model fails to consider the unique financial struggles students face. They pushed for a more responsive system that gives equal opportunity to learners from all backgrounds.
Gachagua expressed deep admiration for their issue-based approach. He said their concerns reflect the same values he has championed for years — empowering the grassroots and giving ordinary people a voice.
Also present at the meeting were Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina and Mbaragwi MCA David Mathenge. Both leaders supported the conversation and applauded the youth for stepping up to shape the national dialogue.
Gachagua highlighted that the meeting reminded him why youth voices must be included in policymaking. He encouraged more young people to get involved in leadership, saying their boldness and ideas are what the country needs.
The leaders from Tharaka Nithi vowed to keep engaging with the public and be accountable to their people. They emphasized that they are not interested in empty politics but in driving real change from the ground up.
The meeting ended with a call for reforms in higher education and greater youth inclusion in decision-making. Gachagua promised to support their push and urged current leaders to take the concerns of young people seriously.
This meeting signals a growing youth movement that is ready to challenge the status quo and champion meaningful reforms.
By Nairobi