Njoro Youth Empowerment and Talent Support Community Based Organization has been launched with an aim to empower youths in Njoro Sub County of Nakuru County.

The CBO will see youths empowered through Entrepreneurship Programmes, Health (Mental), Environmental Conservation and Charity, Agribusiness, Educational, Civic education and talent support.

In an interview with this writer during the launch of the CBO at Njoro Park, Njoro Youth Empowerment and Talent Support CBO chairman Victor Korir revealed that over 30 youth groups are under the umbrella.

While lauding Njoro MP Charity Kathambi for the continued support, Korir noted that such will enable youths in Njoro Sub County to have a link to many opportunities.

“This CBO comprises over 30 registered youth groups and through the help of the office of Njoro MP we want to ensure all youths are empowered for a better society” said Korir.

According to the CBO’s chairman, there have been a lot of challenges facing youths in the country and such a CBO will go a long way in addressing the same.

The CBO, since its inception last year has seen crime rate in Njoro reduce as many youths who were engaging in criminal activities are now empowered to be productive

He called on youths in Njoro to come out and join the CBO in order to move together towards transformation.

“We felt this CBO will help us follow up on some challenges that youths have been facing. Even the issue of crime has been addressed as we try to empower youths” said Korir.

Njoro Constituency Office Manager Mr. Thomas Too, on his part reiterating the commitment of the area MP Charity Kathambi towards supporting youths.

Too noted that there has been a challenge when it comes to matters of youths registering groups as many are formed and after a month or so they become dormant.

He was however quick to point out that the new launched CBO umbrella will go a long way in addressing the same with the support from the Constituency office.

“We facilitated them to get registered and the CBO plays a big role in addressing crime. As an office we shall support them financially and also do them capacity building to the next level” said Too.

Residents of Bahati sub County in Nakuru County have given a clean Bill of health to the Constitution amendment Bill 2020.

This Sub-County has five wards: Dundori, Kabatini, Kiamaina, Lanet/Umoja and Bahati.

Speaking on Friday during a public participation forum on BBI held in Kiamaina Ward, the local cited the increased revenue to counties as well as the additional constituencies for Nakuru as a plus.

While noting that the Bill will go a long way in addressing several challenges in the country, they called on all the MCAs from Bahati Sub County to vote for the Bill come Tuesday next Week.

“I support BBI from Alpha to Omega because it has great benefits for us” said Peter Gutu- a resident.

On his part John Mbugua Honest while giving a clean bill of health to the Bill, called on leaders and locals to separate 2022 politics and BBI process.

He said the Constitution Amendment Bill 2020 2020 is all about empowering the Kenyans by ensuring resources at grassroot as well as addressing other electoral injustices.

“People are now enlightened on BBI.We should however stop linking BBI with the 2022 succession politics” he stated.

Residents living with disability challenges form Bahati Sub County also lauding the BBI Bill citing various clauses that will address their challenges.

Through their representative former nominated MCA Emmah Mbugua, the PWDs submitted their memorandum on the same.

She added that the BBI Bill has come but only to strengthen the gains in the 2010 constitution hence as PWDs they will support.

“BBI has a lot of stake for the PWDs. We have additional slots even in national assembly and that is a plus to us” said Emmah.

Dundori MCA Michael Machembu who spoke to this writer after the public participation meeting lauding locals for having an understanding on BBI.

He noted that once the Bill comes before the Assembly, they will vote to pass the Bill as per the wish of the people of Bahati Sub County.

Machembu also lauded the increase in revenue allocation to counties saying this will ensure more development.

“It has come out clear from the locals of Bahati Sub County and as MCAs we shall pass the Bill as per their wish. But sincerely speaking BBI will help empower people through the more resources allocation” said Machembu.

Nakuru County ToTs Chairman on matters BBI sensitization Mr.Samuel Githaiga stated that they will continue with sensitization forums so that every Kenyan can understand the Bill.

He noted the challenge of misconception and political myths on BBI that they are now trying to address through the sensitization forums.

“We have had challenges of people who spread wrong information about BBI.But with proper sensitization Kenyans have now begun to understand and that is why in public participation forums they have endorsed” said Githaiga.

Proponents of the Building Bridges Initiative in Nakuru County have expressed optimism that the County assembly of Nakuru will endorse the Constitutional Amendment Bill 2020.

Addressing the media during a public participation meeting on the Bill at the Soilo Agricultural Training Centre grounds, the pro-BBI led by Nakuru County BBI Coordinator Njenga Mungai said the Bill will sail through.

He lauded the Nakuru County assembly and the residents of Nakuru East and Nakuru West sub-counties for holding a peaceful public participation on the Bill.

Njenga expressed optimism that Nakuru County will pass the Bill once it comes back to the House after the ongoing public participation in various sub counties.

During the meeting, Njenga branded the Constitution Amendment Bill 2020 ‘BBI Patanisho’ citing that it will ensure a unified country.

“From What I have seen in various public participation meetings in the county, I have no doubt that the County assembly of Nakuru will endorse the Bill as is the will of the majority of the residents” said Njenga.

On his part Nakuru County assembly speaker Joel Maina Kairu who chaired the meeting for Nakuru East and West Sub counties calling on MCAs to go as per the wish of the people.

Kairu also expressed optimism that the MCAs will pass the BBI Bill once the public participation exercise comes to an end.

“The MCAs have heard what the people want and now they have to play their role once the Bill comes on the floor of the house for voting. But I am sure they will pass it” said Kairu.

Similar Public participation meetings on Constitutional Amendment Bill 2020 were on Thursday also held in Kuresoi South (Keringet), Kuresoi North(Sub county offices),Gilgil(Buffalo Horns Hotel),and Molo(St.Mary’s Catholic Hall)

On Friday 19, the meetings will be held in Bahati (sub county offices), Naivasha (Catholic Church), Njoro(St. Emmanuel ACK Church Hall),Rongai(Kampi ya Moto/IEBC Social Hall), and in Subukia at Catholic Church Hall.

Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Busia, West Pokot and Trans Nzoia are some of the counties that have already passed the legislation while Baringo is the only county assembly that has so far voted against the bill.