Eddy Oketch(http://www.africanleadershipacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Eddy-Oketch-Kenya-01.png)
Kenya | ALA Class of 2008 | Trinity College, Yale University
Founder of Peace for African and Economic Development (PAD)
Eddy was born as the seventh child in a struggling family of eight siblings and grew up in my underdeveloped village of Mang’ong’o in Migori District of Kenya.
After his mother’s death, Eddy was forced to drop out of school to provide for his younger siblings, working side jobs including working on tobacco farms, in backstreet canteens as a dish-washer and as a garbage collector, earning meager wages so that he could buy food for his family
In response to the post-election violence that broke out in Kenya in 2008, Eddy founded Peace for African and Economic Development (PAD) mobilizing 11,000 youth ambassadors to foster peace.
Eddie’s remarkable leadership story earned him a place in ALA’s inaugural class. While at ALA, Eddie continued to develop PAD, leveraging off the leadership skills and networks that were being nurtured at ALA
In his gap year after graduating from ALA, he continued to work on PAD, launching a mobile phone campaign, holding unity concerts, convincing politicians to make public declarations, and ultimately bringing together 350,000 youth and engaging 5 million voters in Kenya in PAD’s message for peace.
Eddy has participated in leading conferences around the globe including the World Economic Forum, the 2012 Clinton Global Initiative, and the G8 Summit, where he was a panel leader.
He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree at Yale’s Institute for Global Affairs
In less than two weeks on October 8, my name will be on the ballot for senator in Migori County, Kenya. This particular by-election has not garnered much attention outside of the local media, but the stakes are high and the situation I’m facing as a young candidate represents a microcosm of modern-day Kenya.
My campaign platform, Telo mar Ojende, which in the local Luo dialect translates to “youth leadership,” is premised on raising the voices of the marginalized, the left behind and those yearning for a brighter and more hopeful future. Having been born right here in Migori, I represent the majority of my constituency and my country, one of the youngest in the world.
Too often in Kenya, Big Man politics and the power exercised by those in elected office turns to abuse, rather than to caring for the needs and aspirations of those who queue to vote. Corruption in Migori — and in the country writ large — remains rife. The lack of jobs training and employment remains woefully low, as does education and access to food and basic services. So too does the embrace of the future, including the digital economy and high-tech services. Through my campaign, I hope to move past our challenges and the issues that divide us by building a courageous and inclusive youth wave that will alter Kenya’s political landscape for generations to come. In Migori County alone, 50% of the population is below the age of 14 and the 48% between the ages of 15 and 64 have mostly known failed leadership, a poverty of mind and spirit.
The true cornerstone of my campaign message is ensuring peace in Migori County. Sadly, the violence that I have been forced to endure is not an isolated incident, but has become commonplace in Kenya, particularly around election time. Last year, for example, our country’s main ICT officer at the electoral commission was murdered in cold blood; a case that remains unsolved to this day. Similarly, the deputy chief justice’s driver was shot just weeks before the hearing of a momentous election petition.
In Migori County specifically — a region with a history of political violence — my campaign staff have been repeatedly attacked and my vehicles destroyed as recently as last week. These actions are unacceptable. We must collectively say “enough is enough,” regardless of political, tribal, or ethnic affiliation. We are all in this together as Kenyans. And it will take all of us to build a better Migori and a better Kenya.
Here in Migori, on October 8, it will be of paramount importance for the election to be free from violence and intimidation. Let us make our citizens, and indeed the world, proud of our democratic institutions. Given Kenya’s recent troubles, we need to start from the grassroots with young people boldly leading the way. If we can get the situation right in Migori, or at least improve on past electoral exercises, then that bodes well for future elections at the national level.
I hope that you will stand with me, and with thousands of my local constituents who are rightfully demanding a better future, regardless of who wins. We deserve it.
Eddy Oketch is a candidate for the Migori County Senate seat in Kenya. He is an alumnus of the African Leadership Academy, Trinity College and Yale University.
Nope. I don't see this happening.
Why is RAO holding his hand? Does he miss Fidel?
Nope. I don't see this happening.
Why is RAO holding his hand? Does he miss Fidel?
[/url]Chietha. Aol gi perennial politicians. You are so contented being an ODM leader that you gave up fighting for the big seat. Am forever disappointed in your cowardice. Ing’eyo mana imposing unwanted leadership on joluo gi tieko joma ohingi gi pesa kata rieko.
— Anne Okeyo (@AnneOkeyo2) October 4, 2018
Raila instead of nurturing this young talent he is ready to torpedo his political career to elevate his good for nothing cousin Achilo Ayacko. You should see the kind of nasty gutter campaign ODM is running in Migori..Questioning Edy 'luoness' plus his source of meager campaign funds all that led by sultan Joho who cannot imagine an orphan like Eddy becoming a senator. The evil side of Joho, Junet mohammed and raila has been in full display.Nope. I don't see this happening.
Why is RAO holding his hand? Does he miss Fidel?
Patel. I am tired of you crying, Raila, Raila, Raila here all day long as if Raila works for you. What have you done to nurture this youth or any other youth more than Raila. Kwenda uko. Raila has natured this youth than he has to. Just last year, Raila come with this youth to the USA and introduced him to a lot of people. Eddy understands politics and he is very well placed to join Migori electoral politics very soon. Even the youth has to work hard and pay their dues. You are too bitter with Raila to even reason properly. If Eddy cannot wait for his turn then he can run like Obado did and win. I am sure Raila will be very happy if Eddy can win on his own without the party machinery. Raila also needs ODM and has to play by the rules of the party.Raila instead of nurturing this young talent he is ready to torpedo his political career to elevate his good for nothing cousin Achilo Ayacko. You should see the kind of nasty gutter campaign ODM is running in Migori..Questioning Edy 'luoness' plus his source of meager campaign funds all that led by sultan Joho who cannot imagine an orphan like Eddy becoming a senator. The evil side of Joho, Junet mohammed and raila has been in full display.Nope. I don't see this happening.
Why is RAO holding his hand? Does he miss Fidel?
I see they are seeing Ruto ghosts everywhere. I hope Eddy upset the apple cart.
Oketch is giving Babu nightmares. A meeting was cancelled because supporters for both faced off.
I think Nyanza redemption will come from South
https://www.facebook.com/robertalai/videos/327933684606896/
The young man may just disappoint Babuhttps://www.facebook.com/robertalai/videos/327933684606896/
Kichwa, you misunderstand me. No doubt RAO is suffering but he shouldn't be traversing the globe holding a boy's hand in public.
Eddy started an NGO and good for him. Politics is another matter. If Eddy was some home grown thug eg. leader of some gang or cartel etc. then there could be a chance because he can translate those skills to the political arena. I haven't seen any evidence of Eddy demonstrating his understanding of politics, politics in Kenya, of corruption, extrajudiciary killings etc etc.
I see a smiley guy. There are thousands of Kenyans just like Eddy who have studied higher degrees at reputable institutions using Africa as their story. I can name 20 in close vicinity to me. I watched his PAD clip littered with wazungus and got no sense of pride for Kenya and a sore lack of self-awareness. Can he even shout at a crowd? Has he ever volunteered for a political campaign? If he's serious about forging a political campaign, then maybe he should study politics, work for government agency (not NGO) for at least 10 years, volunteer at ODM campaigns, take on admin role at ODM office, do that for 20 years and then maybe he'll be considered the next Ruto. But right now? His lack of self-awareness makes him look like a fool.
Obama had 8 years experience as a senator and decades experience as a lawyer. What does Eddy do? I don't want to hear Eddy's sob story. That's not going to cut it.
Its not about Raila its about Migori people and who can bring the community together and harness resources to create opportunities for the people especially women and youth. Ayacko was there, what did he do with the positions he had in the past, matter of fact he has an ambassadorial position waiting for him, why cannt he serve as an ambassador and let Eddy the community organizer help Migori County. Migori county has once in a lifetime opportunity to produce a future leader.The young man may just disappoint Babu
Kennedy has lost, but he fought gallantry against an opponent almost twice his age and with tons of experience
Kennedy has lost, but he fought gallantry against an opponent almost twice his age and with tons of experience
Hate him or like him you cannot fight baba in Migori.
Kennedy has lost, but he fought gallantry against an opponent almost twice his age and with tons of experience
Hate him or like him you cannot fight baba in Migori.
40% is still a lose. He got the Kuria vote plus Obado damu votes. Eddy may have damaged himself for the future-time will tell. He needs to figure out how he can pivot back to ODM and Raila. Raila never closes the door on any prodigal son.obado has done it before with a village party......Eddy should not feel bad with +40% vote going against raila propaganda machine....Kennedy has lost, but he fought gallantry against an opponent almost twice his age and with tons of experience
Hate him or like him you cannot fight baba in Migori.