By Samson Wire
Lang’ata is witnessing a bold push toward youth empowerment after South C Member of County Assembly (MCA) Abbas Khalif officially commissioned a transformative skills programme aimed at equipping young people with practical, income-generating opportunities.
The initiative—dubbed the Driving School Programme—brings together youth from all wards within Lang’ata Constituency, offering hands-on training designed to unlock employment pathways in Kenya’s growing transport and logistics sector.
Speaking during the launch, Abbas underscored the urgency of investing in young people as a cornerstone for sustainable development. 
“This initiative is a commitment to unlocking opportunities, nurturing talent, and equipping our youth with the skills, resources, and platforms they need to thrive,” he said. “By investing in our young people, we are building a stronger, more innovative, and inclusive community.”
The programme comes at a time when youth unemployment remains a pressing concern, particularly in urban constituencies like Lang’ata. Abbas challenged young people to rethink traditional employment expectations, urging them to embrace self-employment and entrepreneurship.
“Do not wait for white-collar jobs. Be creative, explore alternative opportunities, and take advantage of the support available from leaders. I am choosing to lead from the front,” he added.
First elected in 2022, Abbas has steadily built a reputation as a grassroots mobilizer, and his latest move signals a strategic alignment between governance and empowerment as he eyes a bigger political role. He is now positioning himself for the Lang’ata parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket.
His entry into the race sets up a high-stakes political contest, particularly as the current MP Felix Odiwuor—popularly known as Jalang’o—has declared interest in the Nairobi senatorial seat.
Political analysts view Abbas’s youth-focused development agenda as both a service delivery milestone and a calculated step to consolidate grassroots support ahead of 2027. If sustained, such initiatives could significantly reshape Lang’ata’s socio-economic landscape while redefining campaign narratives around empowerment and opportunity.
As the political season gradually takes shape, one thing is clear: in Lang’ata, the race to 2027 has already begun—and it is being driven by the youth.
