Birongo elders back Enan Osano for MCA, say age should not define leadership

**By Elizabeth Angira **

For generations, leadership in many communities was largely seen as the preserve of the elderly. Young people were expected to listen, follow and wait their turn, often taking the back seat when it came to making decisions affecting their communities.

But that perception is slowly changing.

In Birongo, elders are now making a different argument: that the younger generation should be given an opportunity to lead, bring fresh ideas and use their energy and skills to transform the community.

Speaking at Birongo Ward during the endorsement of Enan Osano an entrepreneur , Vincent Nyosia said that, today’s young people are more exposed, technologically skilled and increasingly becoming technocrats in different fields qualities they believe can bring a new dimension to leadership.

It is against this changing attitude that elders from Birongo have endorsed Enan Osano an entrepreneur to vie for the Member of County Assembly (MCA) position, saying his age should not be a barrier to leadership.

The elders believe Osano represents a generation that is ready to move beyond traditional approaches to leadership and bring new ideas to the community.

Nyosia, one of the elders who endorsed Osano, said the young aspirant had demonstrated virtues that convinced them he was capable of representing the people of Birongo.

Nyosia said Osano’s identity as a member of Generation Z should not be interpreted as a lack of leadership experience, but rather as an opportunity to introduce new thinking into community leadership.

He said young people have the energy to move across the ward, listen to residents and pursue opportunities that could benefit the community.

For Samwel Mogaka, leadership should be judged by a person’s vision, character and ability to serve the people rather than simply by the number of years they have lived.

Lawrence Masega Getwambu, another elder, said Osano had demonstrated that he was a visionary leader capable of understanding the changing needs of the community.

Getwambu argued that times have changed and that communities can no longer afford to overlook young people who have the skills and determination to lead.

Enan Osano , an entrepreneur addressing the residents during the past event. Photo/Elizabeth Angira

He said Osano’s generation is growing up in an increasingly digital world, giving many young people exposure to technology, innovation and new ways of solving problems.

“Leadership is about what you can offer the people,” Getwambu said, adding that young people should be allowed to participate meaningfully in decision-making.

Jane Kwamboka, another elder, said the endorsement was a message that leadership should be opened to all generations.

She said Osano had demonstrated qualities that made the elders believe he could represent the interests of Birongo residents.

Kwamboka also challenged young people, particularly Gen Z, to take an active role in the electoral process.

She urged those who have attained the voting age and are not registered to register as voters, saying this is the only way they can effectively support one of their own.

The elders said political support should not end with attending rallies or publicly endorsing a candidate.

Benjamin Ogoti said that, they want young people to turn their enthusiasm into actual participation by registering as voters and turning out to vote.

The elders argued that without the numbers at the ballot, the growing interest in young leadership may not translate into political power.

The endorsement of Osano therefore marks more than the emergence of another MCA aspirant. It reflects a changing conversation about who is considered capable of leading the community.

For the Birongo elders, Osano’s age is not a weakness. Instead, they see his youth, energy, vision and exposure as qualities that could help him navigate the challenges of modern leadership.

And as the 2027 political contest gradually takes shape, the elders are sending a clear message: the young generation does not have to remain at the back of the queue waiting to be led, it can also step forward and lead.

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