As the country gears for the fourth edition of the World Rally Championship, youths in Naivasha are crying foul over being sidelined in the global event.
Weeks to the event slated for March, the youths have called on the organisers to this time round involve them, noting that they had nothing to show for the last three editions.
According to the youth leader Simon Wakaba, residents had little to show for the event that attracts thousands of rally lovers every year.
He said the town had talented and learned youths who could take up various jobs and even perform in the entertainment segment during the event.
Wakaba added that the situation has been worsened by the on-going war of words between the county’s elected leaders, adding that they had no one to turn to.
“Naivasha residents don’t have anything to show from the past editions of the rally and its time the organisers came up with a project as part of corporate social responsibility,” he said.
He said the fallout between the governor and senator had seen various capital projects in the town stall, adding that it was time that the elected leaders served the electorate.
Similar sentiments were echoed by another youth leader Esborn Nzila who attributed the rising cases of suicide among youths to mental health issues caused by lack of jobs and opportunities.
He challenged the CS for Youths and Sports Ababu Namwamba to intervene and have local youths benefit either through employment or performing in planned musical events.
“As we enter into the fourth edition, its suffering as usual for local youths and this has impacted negatively on them leading to depression and rise in crime activities,” he said.
Resident Mathew Ariri called on organisers of WRC to set up a digital hub in the town as part of CSR noting that this would benefit hundreds of youths.
“Our problems have been compounded by failure by the county government to finish stalled projects like the fish market which would have come in handy in job creation,” he said.
Another youth Miriam Wanjiru said the issue of sports had been forgotten with leaders engaging in war of words after they were elected to serve the electorate.
