From: George Nyongesa
BungelaMwananchi Mombasa wrote:
Dear Network leaders,
The following press statement was read by Pwani Bunge la mwananchi to the media yesterday at 12noon at Makadara grounds. The press conference was attended by 178 members and leaders from our networks. We had the Star, Citizen, Nation, Standard, Pwani radio, radio salama and BBC journalists. We took our pictures and we will send them to be put on our website for broadcasting. Asante sana, Joseph Nyawara.
BUNGE LA MWANANCHI MOMBASA CHAPTER
Vikao vya: Polana,Tudor, Kilifi, Mtwapa, Likoni, Diani, Makadara, Changamwe na Kwal,
“Siasa ni yao, mageuzi ni yangu”
19-08-2010
Press Statement
The new constitution is a promise for the youth of Kenya!
We wish to thank voters that voted YES and congratulate all Kenyans that voted in the referendum exercise . We must thank ourselves as Kenyans for encouraging a democratic environment that allowed those who did not support the new constitution to carry out their campaigns without fear. We must further also thank ourselves for maintaining peace even when result of the referendum was announced. Referendum has proved that we can contest and settle our differences peaceful. We have also proved wrong cynics who thought that peaceful transition were not possible in Kenya.
We must thank the Committee of Experts for writing a good constitution that gives a framework of how issues affecting poor Kenyans can be addressed. The committee of experts are the first commission in Kenya that has done its job and finished well. We are happy that the committee of experts did not forget about the Agenda 4 issues of the National Accord. These are the issues that led to post election violence and they are the issues that made us to look for a new constitution.
We must also than the IIEC for carrying out the referendum in a transparent manner that allowed all sides to be satisfied with results.
We want to use this opportunity to announce that on 27th August 2010 immediately after the signing of the new constitution by the President, Bunge la Mwananchi Mombasa chapter shall hold new street demonstration to celebrate. We want to taste the bill of rights on the first day of the new law.
The youth of Kenya have been in the frontline to fight for a new constitution and it is good news that the new constitution has recognized and made provisions for their welfare.
On this, with we are happy that the constitution clearly defines who is a youth and even puts age brackets. This will take care of those people who refuse to move on from being youth and cause congestion in the youth bracket.
The writers of the constitution mention many things but of importance to us youth are the following:
The youth are specifically mentioned and there are provisions that encourage the youth to run for political seats in all levels of devolved government. In future we shall seek to impress upon the President after the election of 2012 to make sure that he or she gives 50% of cabinet slots to the youth that we shall have identified. Further on this issue of youth leadership, we are demanding that all the commissions that are being formed under the new constitution should set aside 50% slot for the youth.
The constitution also talks enabling the youth to access jobs, we are therefore impressing upon the coalition government to quickly form a Youth Employment Commission to start looking into ways of creating jobs. The Commission should come up with really program that creates really jobs that enables young people to realize their potential not a joke of program like the Kazi kwa Vijana.
In line with creating jobs for the youth, we demand that immediately this constitution comes into force, the government comes up with a new policy that makes 30% of government tenders to be set aside for the youth. This will give youth good jobs and they will be able to employ fellow youth.
In addition this constitution has very good bill of rights that will protect youth from harassment by the police. The constitution also has good provision on basic rights. These are the things we want to see the government act on quickly.
We want to call on all Kenyans to remember that immediately the President puts signature on the new constitution, it is our responsibility to make sure that we put pressure on MPs to make good laws that do not change the new constitution.
We call on all Kenyans to look at the bill of rights that allows them to peaceful petition their leaders and use that provision to put to task the MPs to deliver. It is our responsibility to make sure we realize what is in the constitution. We must now listen to our politicians and see whether they understand our problems and how the constitution is providing for way to solve the problem.
We call on the youth to get ready to run for political seats in 2012. We need to have youth taking over the Presidency, the Senate, the Counties and even the Cabinet. The new constitution sets the stage for a peaceful revolution. The old leaders must leave with the old constitution. The new constitution is a new vision and we need new leadership to lead that vision.
As Bunge la Mwananchi in Pwani region, in preparation for 2012, we shall now start to recruit grassroots leaders who are interested to compete for political seats in every ward, in every constituency, in every county and even at the Senate. We shall also be talking to our other chapters in other parts of the country so that we can agree on a presidential candidate. The days for voting for others are over. We shall vote for ourselves in 2012.
“Sisi wa Pwani twasema: Katiba mpya ni mageuzi ya mwananchi”
Signed:
1. Francis Amayo- Lower coast region Coordinator (0723935355)
2. Joseph Nyawara- Mombasa town coordinator
3. Muhamed Abubakar Rumba- Likoni area coordinator
4. Pastor Bradley ouna