Nandi County’s priorities misplaced as fountain worth millions constructed

The 2017 gubernatorial races is likely to pit the clean against the corrupt. The counties have witnessed unequal and blatant embezzlement of resources. While devolution is the best idea that ever happened to Kenya, corruption has by large negated the good gains brought about by devolution.

Devolution has become an avenue for some leaders to fill their bellies, and those of their families and friends. Leaders have sucked the citizen's sweat and blood to the last drop.

The youth have watched in despair and regret as those entrusted with political authority mercilessly loot the same resources they are entrusted to manage.

It is a typical case of your cassava being eaten by your own goat. In Nandi County in particular, the battle lines are likely to be drawn further along the young versus the old. The elected youthful, vibrant and gallant leader for the Kericho Jubilee Party sent shock waves throughout the entire North Rift and South Rift counties, and Kenya at large.

The Kenyan youth have realized that they have come of age and are ripe for leadership positions. For years, the youth have been fed with the old tale of "You are leaders of tomorrow".

Surprisingly, they were gullible enough to believe it. That's far-fetched. Those days are gone since tomorrow never comes.

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Already, realignments are taking place in Nandi County. The incumbent is seen as old, corrupt and sheer inept. Several scandals reinforce this argument-the construction of a multimillion gate on the Nandi-Uasin Gishu border, the construction of a fountain in Kapsabet town that cost millions, just to mention a few.

The youth in Nandi County regard these projects as misplaced priorities when the county is grappling with other pressing needs.

Youth employment is a big challenge, lack of beddings in hospitals, poor roads, high taxes are the urgent issues the youth feel the county should have addressed.

The governor seems to be intolerant to these needs. In fact he is considered a spent cartridge and won't be able to mount any strong defence to retain his seat.

Other entrants for the gubernatorial seat will be judged on their track record-whether clean or corrupt-and the youth factor. If these realignments are anything to go by, then the youth factor will carry the day with a big margin.