Kenyan politician adds years to youth

NAIROBI - If you believe you are only as young as you feel, maybe you should be living in Kenya.

A Government minister has proposed changing the legal definition of youth to anyone aged from 15 to 50 - a two-decade jump from the current ceiling of 30 years.

If passed by Parliament, that would put youths within five years of Kenya's official retirement age of 55.

Youth Affairs Minister Muhammad Kuti was quoted in local media as saying the Government plans to change the law so more people can access a 1 billion shilling ($21.49 million) youth fund established this year.

The proposal has rankled some in the east African nation, where critics say the reform agenda of President Mwai Kibaki, 74, has stalled because he has filled his Cabinet with members of his own age group, or "wazee" in Swahili.

"That is utter nonsense," Auditor Catherine Kagweria said of the proposed change. "We need younger, more spry leaders to take over from these geriatrics."

Kuti could not be reached for comment.

- REUTERS