Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has expressed confidence that Kenya’s youth, particularly Gen Z, will come to understand that the formation of a broad-based government aligns with the very issues they have been advocating for during the anti-government protests.
Speaking to a local TV station on the night of Tuesday, May 27, 2025, Wanga refuted claims that Raila Odinga betrayed Kenyans by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with President William Ruto.
She emphasised that even after the formation of the broad-based government, Odinga has consistently focused on addressing key national issues, particularly devolution and youth empowerment, and continues to advocate for them.
Wanga also highlighted that the collaboration between Ruto and ODM leaders is aimed at benefiting marginalised groups, including the youth and women.
“I feel like, with time, the Gen Zs will understand that this broad-based government was always about the issues that they raised,” Wanga said.
“As the issues continue being addressed, I think it will become clearer that what my party leader (Raila Odinga) has focused on, he has not left the issues like devolution and the issues affecting young people; he continues to speak about them, and he continues to address them.”
Wanga on appointments
In addition, the governor also pointed to recent appointments within the broad-based government as evidence of this commitment to inclusivity.
She noted that the appointment of a young minister for water, who is himself a member of Gen Z, and the inclusion of 27-year-old Fikirini Katoi Jacobs as a principal secretary for the State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy demonstrate the government’s efforts to involve young people in decision-making processes.
“One of the ministers who was brought in, this minister for water, is a very young man; he is a Gen Z. What also struck me is when the new PSs were brought on board, Fikirini Katoi Jacobs’ is 27 years old, and we have another PS who is in his 30s and if you look at the metrics of the PSs that came on board, Gen Zs were part of them and even those that felt they would never be considered for a position were brought forward and that is part of the journey to inclusion,” she added.
Ruto on broad-based govt
Wanga’s statement aligns with Ruto’s explanation of why he formed the broad-based government after including members of the opposition in his cabinet.
“The broad-based government offers us a unique opportunity for a better Kenya. A Kenya that embraces all and offers everyone equal opportunity to participate in building our nation. A Kenya where we can turn our everyday dream into an everyday reality,” Ruto said in a post on X.
“At the Mabole Primary School Grounds in Butere for the Thanksgiving ceremony for the Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development.
