Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has expressed optimism for Kenya’s political future where he hopes for a youthful president.
In a statement shared on his X media platform, Owino highlighted Senegal’s choice of a youthful president, Bassirou Faye, aged just 44, as an example Kenya could emulate.
“Senegal has shown us that it’s possible by electing a youthful person as President Diomaye Faye, next is Kenya. We will be there no matter what,” Owino stated.
Faye, Africa’s youngest president
Faye is poised to become Africa’s youngest democratically elected president in history.
Initial reports indicate that Faye has garnered a significant lead over his opponent, Ba.
Despite facing a brief period of incarceration just ten days before the election, Faye campaigned on a platform promising substantial reforms.
Formal election results are anticipated to be announced in the coming days, following a vote that was originally scheduled for the previous month.
The election comes after a period of political unrest in Senegal, one of Africa’s most politically stable nations, triggered by outgoing President Macky Sall’s attempt to delay the election until December.
A number of the other 15 candidates in the race have already conceded defeat to Faye.
President Sall himself has extended congratulations to Faye, characterizing his victory as a triumph for the Senegalese people.
Months in Prison
A week before the presidential elections, Faye was in prison.
After enduring over 11 months of imprisonment for a Facebook post considered subversive by authorities, Faye has risen from a political prisoner to the prospective president of Senegal, promising significant reforms for the nation.
His ascent into Senegalese politics came shortly after his release from prison, alongside his mentor Ousmane Sonko, who was barred from running in the election due to a defamation conviction.
Faye has maintained silence since casting his vote, garnering much of his support from Sonko’s endorsement.
Both Faye and Sonko, former tax inspectors, united under the banner of “Diomaye is Sonko,” vowing to combat corruption and prioritize the country’s economic welfare.
A peaceful transfer of power in Senegal would signify a positive step for democracy in West Africa, a region marred by numerous military coups since 2020.
Some of the military regimes in neighbouring countries have shifted alliances away from traditional powers like France and the United States, turning instead to Russia for support in combating local armed groups.
