Our WanTam Kisumu Women Rep aspirant and Linda Mwananchi ambassador @linda_ogweno was attacked by goons after attending a funeral. But beyond this attack, there is a message in her statement that Kisumu stakeholders must not ignore. Her call to the people of Kisumu to stand up against goonism and tokenism deserves serious reflection. A generation of young people should not be reduced to political mercenaries, hired to intimidate, attack or silence others because they lack meaningful opportunities to earn a living. And this raises a difficult question for those celebrating development in Luo Nyanza. If development is reaching the region as loudly as government surrogates claim, why are so many young people still vulnerable to political exploitation? Where are the sustainable jobs? Where are the opportunities that allow young people to earn with dignity, build businesses and secure their futures without being recruited into violence? Development must be felt in people’s lives, in household incomes, in employment and in the freedom of young people to participate in politics without fear or coercion. Kisumu’s stakeholders, leaders, professionals, religious institutions and business community must confront this reality. Our young people deserve better than being weaponised against their own communities. We condemn the attack on Linda Ogweno and call for a proper investigation!!