A political party affiliated to Kenya's opposition wants UN to revoke Uhuru's appointment as youth ambassador

david nganga

January 24, 2018 6:15 PM

"Revoke the decision and apologise to Kenyans."

A political party affiliated to Kenyan opposition outfit, NASA, now wants President Uhuru Kenyatta's appointment as UNICEF Global Youth Ambassador revoked.

In a letter to the United Nations, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Executive Chairman Oduor Ong'wen said the appointment is in bad faith and wants the body to "revoke the decision and apologise to Kenyans."

"We reject this appointment that is a travesty of an organisation that prides itself as the champion of children rights across 190 countries and territories."

"We urge your office to keenly review and rescind this appointment and offer an apology to the many families in Kenya," he said.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday accepted UN's request to become the global champion for youth empowerment.

His role will will entail advocating the promotion of universal healthcare, education and nutrition.

Mr Ong'wen however stated that by appointing Uhuru, UNICEF has legitimised the sexual assault on women and girls, the physical violence on all children and worst the killing of children during the last elections.

"UNICEF has legitimised government corruption and wanton looting of the public fund on programmes conjured up as youth empowerment projects," Ong'wen said.

Even then, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said he has unaware of Uhuru's appointment as a global youth champion.

Speaking to the Inner City Press on January 23, Dujarric said: "...the director spoke about the need for youth to be engaged and the president said he will support that but beyond that, I am not sure of any appointment."

david nganga