University students endorse Azimio manifesto in August polls

University students and the youth drown from Kenya and East African countries have endorsed the recently unveiled Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition’s manifesto ahead of the August General Election.

The East African Students Union (EASU), Kenya Universities Students’ Organization (KUSO) and Youth Advocacy Africa (YAA) President Antony Manyara on Thursday said the 10-point agenda by Azimio leader Raila Odinga resonates with the different aspirations of the youth.

In a press statement, Manyara highlighted the ten agendas encompassed in the manifesto that was unveiled at Nyayo Stadium on Monday and why it was critical for young people to rally behind Odinga.

“The Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya continues to prove that it has the best interests of comrades, the youth, and women at heart,” read a section of the statement.

In referring to the appointment of Martha Karua as Odinga’s running mate the union hailed the move saying it served to bring inclusion and also empower women in society.

“We also take this chance to thank the Azimio coalition for demonstrating its commitment to the women’s agenda by settling on Senior Counsel Martha Karua as its presidential running mate and extending support to women seeking elective positions,” Manyara noted.

“On the same note, we wish to declare our support to the KUSO patron Agnes Kagure who is contesting for the Nairobi gubernatorial position. Comrades Power! Mama Power! Agnes Kagure Power!”

Manyara underscored among the key tenets namely; Azimio La Ugatuzi, Azimio la Jitihada, Azimio la Viwanda tent and Waste Not a Single Child, to be among the key resolves of empowering the youth through creating job opportunities and spurring development through devolution.

Through Waste Not a Single Child, Manyara explained that education would be boosted to ensure the enlightenment of all Kenyans.

In the same regard, Manyara re-emphasized Baba Care terming it as the ‘sweetest social welfare’ program to have been proposed in the 21st century saying it would be a game-changer for many families and in eradicating poverty.

 “Most comrades are the providers of their families and with Baba Care lifting this burden off their shoulders, comrades and many youths across the country will be able to focus on being more productive and able to plan their career lives better,” read the notice.

While calling on all students to support Odinga’s bid, he said: “It is our call for all comrades to support Baba and a youth, to support Baba and a woman aspirant, and in Nairobi, to support Baba and Governor Agnes Kagure, the comrades mum.”