UDA top brass has called for a shift on political discourse from ethnicity to issue-based politics for the sake of the country’s unity.
Secretary General Hassan Omar and National Treasurer Hon Japheth Nyakundi led a team from the party and experts from the government in calls for national unity during the UDA North Rift Comrade Chapter in Eldoret on Monday.
The party officials reiterated President William Ruto’s desire for inclusivity and transparency through involving youth in governance.
The town hall meeting which is a continuation of the party’s commitment to involve university and tertiary university and college students in leadership and governance discussed the affordable housing project, the new university funding model, the new health insurance, the party grassroots elections, among other issues.
“The conversation in this country must shift. We must shift conversation from ethnicity to issues,” said the SG.
Hon Nyakundi, who said the party believes in the youth as agents of development and progress, insisted they would involve them in matters leadership at the party.
“We want you to be part of us. As a party, we will ensure we mentor you as young people of this nation because as a party, we believe you are the leaders of today and tomorrow,” said Nyakundi.
On health insurance, Presidential Council Economic advisor Prof Nyasaka Machuki said NIHF had become a cash cow to certain individuals, for it was easily manipulated.
“NHIF was plagued by corruption and inefficiency. Some NHIF employees were colluding with small health facilities to defraud the government through fictitious claims. We’ve introduced a digital health care system to address these issues,” said Prof Machuki.
Norah Lukosi, a director with the youth fund, urged comrades to take advantage of the youth fund and the Talanta Loan to fund their ideas so as to make cash of their creative and innovative ideas.
National Housing Director James Maina, who said the affordable housing project that targets 200,000 units per year, further said universities would use the initiative for learning purposes.
“We’re partnering with universities to integrate affordable housing projects into practicals for engineering and relevant courses,” said Maina.
SG Omar said the new model of university funding is proof that of promoting equality and inclusivity, unlike under HELB, which had disparities.
The new model, he said, makes those who are less fortunate rise up in education.
UDA vowed to continue having town meetings no matter how emotive and anxious they will be, even as the comrades’ engagements move to Machakos this weekend.
