Over 300 Youths from Kiambu gathered, yesterday, in marking the International Youth Day that is normally celebrated every August 12 of the year.
The event held at the Kiambu County Headquarters, focused on employment solutions and entrepreneurship opportunities available for the young people and with the youth exhibiting some of the works geared towards environment and climate.
The 2023 Edition of International Youth Day this year focuses on green skills for youth, highlighting initiatives at the global and national levels, discussing relevant opportunities and challenges, and offering forward looking policy guidance.
Speaking during the event, Kiambu Governor, Kimani Wamatangi, lauded the youth for their involvement in nation building, saying their participation and showcasing of their talents was commendable,
He thanked the Chief Executive Member (CEC) sports and Youth Affairs, Ali Osman, for his commendable work of reaching out to the young people and keeping them busy in many youth activities.
“ I want to assure you of my support in your mission to transform Kiambu’s sports and youth sectors for a brighter future and I want to urge the youth, to be participating in more national event since your contribution is important to the county’s development”, he said
The Governor said that his government has a comprehensive agenda for the youth, which includes concrete plans and not mere promises.
“We want to build eight stadiums and allocate funds to complete an Amphitheatre that will provide platform for the youth to showcase their talents”, he said
In a bid to keep-up with global technological advancements, Wamatangi also promised to open ICT stations in every ward in Kiambu stating that the initiative by the national government aims to equip the youth, with the necessary skills to compete in the digital world.
Addressing the issue of alcohol and drug abuse, the Governor pledged to build more rehabilitation centers to support the youth affected by substance abuse.
He proposed regular dialogues with the youth saying. “We should have weekly meetings to address your concerns, rather than waiting for the annual International Youth Day.”
Governor Wamatangi, expressed confidence in the implementation of various youth programmes aimed at making Kiambu the fastest-growing County and he reiterated his commitment to the youth, assuring them of his plans, which he termed as actionable and set for implementation.
“I can confidently tell you that our County has been growing, we have put in place development funds and we are not relying on borrowing. We have reserves and God, willing are making plans for real. We will be able to implement our project and programmes worth over Sh 4 billion shilling to shilling and if we continue on this projection, we will be one of the fastest growing economy in this country,” the Governor said.
Rosemary Kirika, The Deputy Governor, urged the youth to take an active role in their future, encouraging them to actively participate in finding solutions to the challenges they face.
She underscored the importance of self-employment and entrepreneurship, urging the youth to “take the initiative in their economic empowerment.”
The theme for this year’s International Youth Day is ‘Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World.
Kevin Osiedo, from the Kiambu County Governance Watch, said that when it comes to governance and leadership, most youth are left behind and as a partner, they are in the process of putting-up resources through USAID, to address some of the challenges, especially drug abuse and unemployment
“We have been working for over two years with the youth of this County and in one of the research we have done, we found that there are over 117 employment organizations, but the youth do not have jobs and that the opportunities in those organizations are given to outsiders”, he said
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), there is a need to engage with youth in a right based approach by ensuring their participation in matters that affect them and their future and advocating for their inclusion in decision-making processes, as well as in all stages of the policy and programme cycles.
ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, says young people need to be equipped with skills for the green economy, so they can find decent jobs and make the world a better place for people and the planet.
Linet Luvai, Deputy Country Representative UNIDO, during a roundtable for key stakeholders in the green economy and youth employment,Thursday, said that Kenya has now set the stage for transition to green development pathways and is currently finalizing the development of the National Green Jobs Strategy.
The United Nations is supporting the development of the Strategy which calls for policy shifts, to foster emergence of green growth industries and jobs.
“As UNIDO we see significant opportunities in this Policy direction and in collaboration with UNESCO, UN Women and ILO are in the process of developing a new programme titled ‘Green Skills for Green Jobs: supporting a Green and Digital Transformation in the Eastern Africa Region, Luvai said ’
The National Government has made notable efforts in regard to the growth of the green economy, including policies incentivizing green innovations, sustainable production methods, and the adoption of eco-friendly technologies.
By Geoffrey Oduori
