Kisumu Central parliamentary aspirant Bovince Ochieng is stepping up engagement with young people as he seeks the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) nomination ahead of Kenya’s 2027 general election.
Ochieng, who is also Kisumu County’s chief officer for education, attended a student talent audition at the African Institute of Research and Development Studies in Kisumu, where he interacted with students and discussed issues affecting young people.
Students performed modern music, poetry and other cultural pieces as part of an initiative aimed at promoting talent alongside academic development.
The institution’s principal, Aboke Evans, said the school was creating opportunities for students to develop skills beyond classroom learning.
“We are trying to nurture our students, because too much of books, there is nothing that we can gain. So we decided to do more of this activity,” Aboke said.
He said the institution had more than 600 students, with about 260 attending the event. Student leader Bright Obonyo said the number exceeded 1,000 when students on attachments and internships were included.
Obonyo said Ochieng was the only invited political leader to attend the event and praised him for engaging with the students.
“We welcomed a couple of people to come, but he’s the only person who came,” he said.
Obonyo said Ochieng had also offered support to the students and promised to organise a larger event bringing together young people from across Kisumu City.
“He also promised to organize an event that not only includes us, but includes the youths of Kisumu City,” he said.
Ochieng said technical and vocational institutions played an important role in equipping young people with skills while providing opportunities to develop their talents.
“Today was a special day because we are looking at also talent, where we find that the institution is able to provide a platform for holistic development,” Ochieng said.
He also urged young people to register as voters and participate in the 2027 election, saying they should have a role in decisions affecting their future.
The outreach is part of Ochieng’s efforts to engage students and youth groups as political activity builds ahead of the election.
Youth issues, including education, employment, skills development and talent, are likely to feature in campaigns as aspirants seek support ahead of party nominations and the 2027 general election.
Ochieng is seeking the ODM nomination for the Kisumu Central parliamentary seat, with the party’s eventual nominee expected to face other candidates in the constituency in the 2027 election.
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