There’s a flood of posters and WhatsApp group links of contestants for positions in a purported youth association dubbed the “Kenya Youth Organization,” or simply, KYO, inundating social media feeds.
The said organization, which supposedly operates from a ward level upwards to the national level, has been conducting elections through an online platform, StrawPoll, to choose leaders to fill several positions in an initiative whose proponents say is to unite and empower youth.
The positions at the sub-county level are named chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary general, treasurer, communication director, organizing secretary, and three nominated members.
At the ward level, slots being vied for are indicated to be those of the manager, treasurer, and secretary.
The activities of the said organization have been ongoing in several parts of the country for the better part of April.
In Western Kenya, it has been vigorous in Kakamega County, with elections to choose leaders at the sub-county level concluding this week.
A description on one of the WhatsApp groups linked to the organization, which outlines some roles of the organization, reads: “KYO is for all youths aged between 18 and 40 years in all 47 counties, whereby we will have representatives from ward level to national level.”
An investigation by the Western Kenya Times raises red flags about the organization’s legitimacy. WKT conducted a background check as well as reviewed information from social media circles and from interviews with contestants.
Out of the investigation, five concerns that point to it being an impending scam were raised:
No official website or online presence
A simple Google search for “Kenya Youth Organization” does not bring any meaningful results or information on the organization.
The said organization has neither an official website nor social media platforms to validate its existence, despite the organization claiming to operate in all the 47 counties.
The clumsiness of the voting system
The election positions seem to attract anyone on social media, as long as they are 18–40 years of age. The qualifications for vying, therefore, are not clear enough. There’s no electoral team, and funny enough, the voting platform is a popular freelance poll system, StrawPoll, which doesn’t guarantee the credibility of the process.
No physical offices
Physical offices may not be important as organizations have evolved to operate entirely through mediated communication and online forums, but there must be a way in which the management or employees interact physically.
There’s no evidence that the KYO has a physical office or that its management, if any, has ever held a physical meeting.
No clear information about funding
There’s no clear, if not any at all, information on how the organization is funded, how “employees” are paid, or how office bearers will at least be facilitated to conduct their duties.
One individual, who withdrew from one of the positions, assumes that the elected members or members of the public may be duped into pooling funds under the guise of supporting the initiative, which points to an impending scam.
Anonymous and faceless patrons
The KYO cannot be traced to its top management, who seem to be a group of individuals operating discreetly and suspiciously.
Asked how the newly elected office is working, a chairperson for one of the sub-counties in Kakamega County said: “We’re receiving direction from the office at the county level, which advertised our positions. After we contested and won, they directed us to conduct elections at the ward level. The county office has much more information that we’re also waiting for them to share with us.”
The chairperson, however, said the elected staff will be holding its first joint in-person meeting for Matete and Lugari sub-counties on Monday 1st, “then we’ll deliberate on a number of issues.”
The lack of transparency, credibility, and authenticity raises concerns about the KYO’s legitimacy, leaving many questioning its true motives.
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