The United Green Movement (UGM) Party, Kenya’s Green Political Party that promises total inclusivity, is implementing the themes, as outlined in its 5-point manifesto of Youth Unemployment, The Economy, The Environment, Rule of Law, and Social Justice and Equality. Recognizing the interconnectedness of these challenges, we aim to forge a path towards a sustainable and prosperous future for all Kenyans.

The United Green Movement Party recognizes that Youth unemployment poses a significant challenge in Kenya that could lead to economic stagnation and social unrest. Even though Environmental degradation coupled with pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss exacerbates these issues it  also presents opportunities for green job creation as we restore the environment. By investing in sustainable practices, we can provide employment opportunities for young people while addressing environmental challenge at the same time improving the economy.

UGM Party has actively been advocating for policies to address youth unemployment, including calling for the establishment of registers for the unemployed graduates and provision of social safety nets through a petition presented to the National Assembly. Additionally, UGM advocates for the alignment of the education curricula with market demands to equip youth with relevant skills for employment and entrepreneurship since there exists a huge gap between the skills currently taught in Kenya and the skills required in the ever changing job market.

As part of the UGM Party’s commitment to engaging and empowering youth, UGM has organized County Gigs aimed at promoting green ideology and fostering youth entrepreneurship. These events will provide a platform for young greenpreneurs to showcase their innovations, foster dialogue on political issues by political leaders from different regions, and encourage peer learning and collaboration amongst the youth.

The first UGM COUNTY GIG; Politics Made Fun will be on Sunday, 12^th May, 2024 at Obunga Sports Complex in Kisumu County. Being Mother’s Day, the event themed ‘Celebrating Mother Nature on Mother’s Day’ will highlight the impact of pollution on Lake Victoria, Africa’s Largest Freshwater Lake. The once clean and vibrant lake, is now a biodiversity crisis, covered by water hyacinth that deprives the lake of oxygen and creates numerous hazards for the communities around. Once perfect for swimming, is now characterized by putrid and pungent smell thanks to solid waste including plastics, human waste, and toxic chemicals from industries, rapidly making the lake inhabitable. Tourism, which contributes to the economy of the region because of the lake’s flora and fauna is now dwindling.

Lake Victoria, which produces 90% of Kenya’s fish, is facing diminishing fish stocks, with the youth and mama samaki working along the shores losing their jobs. Fisher folk who have invested in cage fishing barely find any fish, or when there is fish, they contain toxins due to the chemical effluent.

In honor of Mother’s Day, celebrating Mother Nature; the UGM County Gig in Kisumu County is inviting youthful greenpreneurs to showcase various innovations promoting environmental restoration of Lake Victoria. The UGM PARTY is aware that there are thousands of young Kenyans who are creating work by Recycling and Reusing what would be waste. Various innovative greenpreneurs around Lake Victoria are leading efforts to combat pollution and restore the lake’s ecosystem. Through recycling initiatives and sustainable businesses, they are turning waste into profit while safeguarding the environment. There are also thousands of young Kenyans who are out there and keen on green innovations, but do not know how?  UGM is giving a chance to some of these GREENPRENEURS to exhibit at the UGM COUNTY GIGS: Politics Made Fun, in Kisumu County. It is time to help young Kenyans create employment. This event serves as a tribute to Mother Nature, highlighting the importance of environmental stewardship and sustainable practices. It calls for collective action to protect, preserve, and restore the beauty and vitality of our planet for future generations, but also create employment opportunities for youth and women in the region.

The event will also feature a football tournament and live music performances showcasing how young Kenyans have chosen to invest their talents in art and live music to create employment. The tournament featuring Obunga Football Club, formed by the youth out the informal settlements of Obunga in Kisumu is a classic example of

how youthful talent can be tapped. Young people from the Obunga Football club will soon find themselves playing football at the international level. UGM PARTY with a focus of Youth Unemployment will host the football club to a Mother Nature Football Tournament on Mother’s day as we help spotlight the Club!

Three young upcoming Artistes from Nyanza; Omondi Wuod Ombeyi, Apesi Mnyama Mkali, and Stevo Janam- The Big Dog, are quickly climbing the charts and taking the Kenyan music scene by storm! The UGM PARTY, at this Kisumu County Edition, UGM COUNTY GIGS: Politics Made Fun, will provide these three young Artistes a platform to each launch their debut albums.

UGM’s commitment to addressing youth unemployment, the economy and environmental sustainability is evident through its manifesto and initiatives including County Gigs. By fostering green entrepreneurship and advocating for environmental conservation, UGM aims to create a prosperous and sustainable future for Kenya.

This Mother’s Day, the UGM Party invites us all to make a collective commitment to give back to Mother Nature – to protect, conserve, and restore her beauty and vitality. Let’s plant trees, clean up our communities, support sustainable restoration practices, and advocate for policies that prioritize environmental conservation. We have a responsibility to protect and conserve the environment for future generations, just as our mothers have cared for us. Happy Mother’s Day to Mother Nature – our greatest guardian and provider.