Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has unveiled a 17-point agenda seeking to uplift Kenyan youth in a move to bank votes for the young people.
In his raft proposed measures introduced on Sunday, Raila plans to create a Tax Holiday for Youth Enterprises, which will see a minimized taxation of new and small youth owned businesses.
“By giving them a tax holiday of seven year in addition to extending tax incentives to organizations and companies that after employment to the youth. Ease of doing business in Kenya must begin giving particular attention to and provide accountability mechanisms for how easy it is for young people to start a venture and build a business,” he said in a statement.
The Blueprint seeks to introduce a Youth Commission with equal representation of both genders and task it with advancing their participation in all spheres of public and private life.
Odinga pledged to revamp Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) .
Also Read:
- Raila online challenge lifts lid on Kenyans resourcefulness
- Raila Odinga tests positive for coronavirus
- ODM Leader orders immediate lowering of fuel prices
He urged the Parliament to do an amendment on the AGPO Act which belongs in the Ministry of Youth Affairs to benefit the young people.
“When the youth make 75 percent of our population, it beats logic to have an institution that is meant to help them placed at the National Treasury, under a small toothless secretariat.”
The Former Prime Minister called for a review of the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) by expanding the limit to reflect the cost of living in Kenya as it evolves.
In this review, the ODM chief lauded for removal of interest rates accrued as well as writing off graduates from the Credit Reference Bureau (CRB).
He also championed the increase and expansion of bursaries in tertiary institutions in reflecting the reality of the high cost of living.
Raila also wants the creation of a National Boda Fund and Local Boda Boda Assembly Units for Motorbikes.
This, according to Odinga, will make the bikes more affordable in order to harness and support the potential of the 2.4 million riders.
In revamping industries across all the 47 counties for made in Kenya products, Odinga has called for the rollout of 10,000 youths per year in the National Youth Internship Program (KNIP) aiming to provide job opportunities for the youth.
“In revamping industries across all the 47 counties for made in Kenya products, Odinga has called for the rollout of 10,000 youths per year in the National Youth Internship Program (KNIP) aiming to provide employment opportunities for the youth and make use of and perfect the skills.”
He pushed to design a policy for the Youth Leaders Program, both global and local, by supporting a 1,000 youth a year with paid internships in the United Nations (UN) and other international agencies.
The move will grow and be infused with best practices by developed countries.
Odinga also vowed to redesign the National Youth Service (NYS) by devolving the institution into all the 47 counties in collaboration with the county governments.
The African Union High Representative For Infrastructure Development promised to empower and activate the Youth One Stop Shops which will provide strategic and youth focused services that included access to Information Communication and Technology (ICT) and entrepreneurship training among others.
