Youth who transforms people's lives takes Kitui by storm

Born and bred in Katheka village, Kauwi location in Kitui West constituency, a soft-spoken Vincent Munyoki has for the last two years laid foundation for brighter and united future for many souls including young, old and the sick by putting initiatives to raise people from poverty, neglect and hopelessness and write a new chapter in their lives. 

MWINGI TIMES found out Munyoki comes from a humble and respectful family background whose parents brought him up as a God-fearing child.

The youngster has been kind in giving materials, equipment and finances to advance food security, transform education, improve health, provision of clean water to homesteads,  recognise the elderly and build a cohesive society with economically endowed citizenry. 

“It is by God’s grace that I stand to be a beacon of hope and transformative leadership through changing lives and championing youth recognition in elective leadership and community engagement. I owe everything to God according to the Holy scripture in the Bible, Proverbs 19:17 ‘Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done,’" the young leader said with a smile on his face.

However, his initiatives' charisma has raised eyebrows whether the Gen Zs are poised to revolutionise Kenya's political landscape now and in future by bringing new aspects in leadership empowerment.

A list of the development projects and programmes he has implemented through his Vincent Munyoki Foundation include advancing food security, the Tumbula projects, focusing on soil conservation, terracing, and increased agricultural productivity to combat hunger and boost food security.

He has also done Education transformation by distributing school bags, textbooks, bursaries, and sanitary towels to ensure students have the tools to excel and girls remain in school.

Further, Vincent Munyoki Foundation does Agribusiness to sustain families by donating chickens to households, promoting self-sufficiency through poultry farming as an economic venture. 

Munyoki has further improved health and welfare by providing sanitary towels to girls, boxer shorts to boys, and wheelchairs to restore mobility and dignity.

Others include expanding access to clean water; installing water tanks in key areas, ensuring communities have reliable access to safe drinking water, restoring dignity through housing by building and furnishing decent homes for vulnerable families, offering them a place to call home.

“I have been involved in environmental conservation, planting trees across Kitui West to combat deforestation, improve biodiversity, and secure a greener future, empowering spiritual growth through donations to churches, strengthening the spiritual fabric of the community,” Munyoki said.

Quoting an American author, disability rights advocate, political activist and lecturer Helen Adams Keller, the youngster said "Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much."

He said his many other drives were recognizing elders by gifting them with cozy blankets in celebrating their resilience and wisdom.

·        Supporting Livelihoods, caring for donkeys, a crucial resource for rural livelihoods, ensuring their welfare and contribution to families.

·        Strengthening Leadership; donated podiums to the Deputy County Commissioner and County Commissioner, enhancing community leadership structures.

Munyoki said his Foundation was relieving poverty and championing environmental conservation. “Through the compassion and dedication of the Vincent Munyoki Foundation, we are proud to have completed our third house project, transforming the life of a family in Kwa-Mutonga Ward who had been living in deplorable conditions,” he said adding; “by coming together as a community, we successfully built them a new home, restoring their dignity, providing shelter, and giving them hope for a brighter future. This milestone reflects the power of unity and the profound impact of compassion in action.

The Foundation remains committed to ensuring that no one is left behind. Together, we can build a society where every family has a safe and secure place to call home".

As the New Year 2025 begins, Munyoki said he owes everything to God. “I give thanks to God for His endless grace. Special thanks go to my mother Dr Jackeline Kavutha for her strength and perseverance.”

Munyoki who is yet to declare his interest in politics said the youth brings massive generational change in leadership thus deviating from the old centuries command and control way of doing things.

Opinion leaders interviewed said young leadership was a big asset to the nation’s development as it was agile, charismatic, democratic and innovative.

The leaders were united in supporting youngsters in ascending into leadership positions in the 2027 General Election.

“Older politicians should discard tendencies of dismissing the youth as toddlers dreaming of playing in the league of men,” one source said. Another said he believed young and talented citizens can bring fresh appeal and ability in viewing national affairs through "new eyes" and use the language of hip hop to get across to their colleagues.