The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party is taking its ninth round of the Comrades Chapter to Garissa today, where it is expected to engage with university and tertiary college students on a raft of issues of their interests.

At the town hall, held at the Palm Oasis Resort, students will have a chance to interact and get instant feedback on some of the policies being undertaken by the Kenya Kwanza Government, and especially those that directly impact them.

Key among these are the issues relating to Hustler Fund, new university funding model, the housing programme and the new social health programme under Social Health Authority (SHA).

The theme of today’s forum, as it has in other editions, is; ‘Comrades for Inclusive Leadership in Political Processes.’

The UDA Comrades Chapter – Garissa Edition will feature panel discussions, comments and questions from students as well as answers from top panelists and experts.

Among the topics that will be discussed during the forum include; Importance of youth inclusion in leadership and governance, role of youth in reference to law and order, digital economy and technological transfer, and labour mobility/local opportunities.

Other topics that the ruling party’s luminaries will be looking to highlight are; access to markets and affordable credit, funding higher education and research in Kenya, and the benefits of affordable housing to comrades.

The panel will include; Ismail Maalim Madey (PS Youths and Creative Economy), Abdi Dubat (PS EAC Affairs), Isaac Mwaura (Government Spokesperson), Prof. Vincent Machuki (Presidential Council of Economic Advisors), James Maina (Director of National Housing), Fatma Barayan (Chairperson – Youth Fund), and Ubah Abdi, a student at TUK University.

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,” a circular from 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.