By Betty Luke
Leaders from Isiolo’s Tigania community have implored a section of youth who had expressed displeasure with their leadership to refrain from attacking them, promising to address all the issues they previously raised.
Led by the community’s Patron Lawrence Kanampiu and Chairperson Joseph Kimathi, the group said it would not allow resolvable issues to water down their unity efforts that had taken nearly two years.
The leaders were responding to claims by a group of youth that they had misused funds raised during a recent fundraiser aimed at empowering youth and women.
“For a long time, the two Tigania sub-clans have had differences that we spent two years trying to resolve. It is unfortunate that just after we have united the two communities, some people want to use the empowerment event as an excuse to create a rift,” decried Mr Kanampiu.
According to the official, the concerns raised by the youth had been put into consideration and necessary measures put in place to address them.
“We cannot ignore their concerns because they are part of us. We urge them to come on board so we can agree on the best course of action and forge forward as one united community,” he said.
His sentiments were echoed by Mr Kimathi who called on the women and youth groups to come up with projects that they want supported so that the community would decide on the best way possible to support them.
“There are pledges that are yet to be honoured and so we need to come up with specific projects that will be supported once the funds are sent to us. We shall not give anyone cash to put into their pocket,” said Mr Kimathi.
While noting that they were scouting for opportunities that would benefit their community members, Mr Kimathi revealed that they were set to discuss with the business community and professionals on how they would benefit from the government warehouse.
Present at the meeting was youth leader Mark Lithira who hailed the community leadership for putting into consideration the concerns they had raised and agreeing to solve them.
Mr Lithira urged his youth members to listen to the leaders and cease engaging in issues that could cause a rift between themselves and the entire community.
The leaders told off politicians they claimed were inciting the youths for their selfish gains, threatening to expose them should they continue interfering with the community affairs.
“If you did not support our fundraiser you still have room to support us. Reach out to the community directly instead of looking for networks from the youth. Our doors are open for everyone who wants to support our community,” said Ms Kezia Kabirithu.
But Youth Chairperson Jojes Mailutha trashed claims that some politicians were using them to cause differences among the community, saying they were speaking on behalf of the community members who were dissatisfied with the leadership.
“Everyone is crying from deep within but due to fear of threats and intimidation, they cannot speak for themselves. We shall call out the leaders until they listen to our concerns,” he told The Press Point.
