National Economy Development Party (NEDP) leader Mike Sonko has once again challenged leaders to readily avail themselves to the concerns of talented young people.
This is after his encounter with Zaida, an 18-year-old Fine Arts student from Kenyatta University who has been struggling to raise finances in building her career path.
Zaida’s determination,walking alone into Sonko’s office with a hand-drawn portrait after struggling to raise funds for materials,has struck a chord across the country and within NEDP circles.
According to Sonko, her persistence reflects the untapped potential that exists among Kenyan youth, often held back not by lack of ability, but by lack of opportunity.
By refunding her costs, offering her financial support, and clearing her semester fees, Sonko demonstrated what he describes as “practical leadership”, one that goes beyond speeches and directly transforms lives.
Kenyans who commented on the issue said the gesture underscores a growing realization among leaders: that talent, if ignored, can easily fade, but if supported, can become a powerful driver of economic growth.
For leaders,the lesson learnt here is,first, accessibility matters. Zaida’s story shows that many young people are willing to take bold steps, but often encounter closed doors.
“Leaders who make themselves approachable create pathways for opportunity,” Alex Wakhesi commented.
The relatively modest financial support extended to Zaida could potentially alter the trajectory of her life and career. For leaders, this reinforces the idea that impact is not always about large-scale projects, but timely, targeted support.
“By acknowledging Zaida’s effort and talent, Sonko validated her dreams,something many young people lack in a competitive and often discouraging environment,” another Facebook followrr said
The incident aligns closely with NEDP’s emerging political agenda, which places youth empowerment at its core. Party insiders reveal that NEDP is increasingly positioning itself as a platform for young creatives, innovators, and entrepreneurs who are often overlooked in mainstream economic planning.
Sonko has repeatedly emphasized that Kenya’s economic transformation will not solely come from traditional sectors, but from nurturing creative industries such as art, music, digital content, and design.
Within this framework, the party is advocating for increased funding for arts and creative programs,
establishment of talent incubation hubs across counties and integration of creative arts into mainstream economic policy.
