Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani has been named as the Northeastern flag bearer to champion the new movement formed for the region’s political interests.
Dubbed as the Upya Movement, a section of leaders from Northeastern and Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL) said the movement will unite the region behind one political voice.
According to the leaders, the movement will be the platform where ASAL areas will negotiate for greater social economics and developments in the region.
“…further, affirm as leader of ASAL areas the embracing of a new model of compassionate leadership declare accordingly the formation of a political movement to be known as Upya Movement. The movement will unite residents from ASAL areas to articulate a common political position and objectives of 2022 elections and more specifically negotiate for greater social economics and developments in the region,” stated the statement read by Garissa senator Abdul Haji.
Eldas Member of Parliament Adan Keynan said the direction they are taking it is to support the initiative by President Uhuru Kenyatta, Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga and One Kenya Alliance team.
He added that they want to shed off that tag of being flower girls and sit on the negotiating table.
Yatani said that they will fight for their fair share of their own voice of the resources of this country to benefit and for them to be on the political table.
“We have agreed that today, we are going to take ourselves seriously for the benefit of our people, speak in one voice and ensure that we are not left out in the ongoing discussions,” Yatani said.
The CS said the region will no longer be passive participants in the country’s political agenda but will be critical participants in the ongoing current political discourse.