Langata MP Felix Odiwour, popularly known as Jalang’o, has come under fire after tweeting that any event held in Langata venues must give 50% of its jobs to local youth. The tweet, which went viral, has been met with a mixed reaction, with some Kenyans supporting the idea and others criticizing it.
Those who support Jalang’o’s idea argue that it is a good way to empower the youth in his constituency and give them a chance to earn a living. They also point out that many of the events held in Langata are attended by people from all over the country, so it is only fair that some of the jobs go to local residents.
However, those who criticize Jalang’o’s idea argue that it is unfair to event organizers and that it could lead to discrimination against non-local youth. They also point out that the tweet is not legally binding and that event organizers could simply choose to hold their events in other venues if they do not want to comply.
Jalang’o has defended his idea, saying that it is a way to “give back to the community” and that he is not trying to discriminate against anyone.
The debate over Jalang’o’s idea is likely to continue, but it has already raised important questions about the role of local government in promoting economic development and empowering the youth.
Screenshots of Kenyans’ Harsh Reactions
It remains to be seen whether Jalang’o’s idea will be implemented, but the debate over it has already highlighted the challenges of promoting economic development and empowering the youth in Kenya.
