Hundreds of university and college students have convened at the Kamel Park Hotel in Kisii for the UDA Comrades Chapter.
The students started streaming in at the facility as early as 7 am on Saturday, November 16, with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party luminaries expected to engage with them on issues that affect students.
The Gusii Edition is part of a series of town halls that UDA is organising across the country, seeking to establish a robust social-political hustler movement to empower and mobilise Kenyan youth. Other town hall meetings that have been conducted include; Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu, Eldoret, and Machakos, Kakamega.
Some of the students who spoke to TV47 Digital said that they will use the platform to air their grievances to the government on the new university funding model, which they say should be shelved.
Others expressed optimism that the UDA Comrades Chapter idea will play a pivotal role in nurturing the next crop of leaders in the country.
UDA Comrades Chapter
Launched on September 20, 2024, the chapter seeks to establish a robust social-political hustler movement to empower and mobilise youth across the country.
The initiative, UDA says, is designed to create a dynamic platform for students and young professionals to engage in political discourse, advocate for socio-economic development, and understand government policies, programs, and projects.
UDA Comrades Chapter is also geared towards creating a platform where university and college students can engage directly with the ruling political party, allowing them to share their concerns, ideas, and aspirations.
“This program aims to foster a more inclusive and participatory political approach, ensuring that the voices of young people are heard and valued,” the UDA’s Programs Department says. “Our primary Target Audience is University/College students across the country. The party’s motivation to form this youth-led entity stems from an understanding that Kenyan comrade youths face various interconnected challenges that significantly impact their well-being and prospects.”
The Kenya Kwanza Government, under the tutelage of President William Ruto, says that it is committed to tackling issues that “remain a thorn in the flesh of Kenyan youths”, including high unemployment rates, lack of school fees, political disengagement, digital divide, and cultural expectations among others.
