The youth from Central Kenya have asked the government to create an independent ministry to tackle youth related matters.
Speaking in Nyeri during a public participation forum on the Youth Bill 2024, the youth said that having an independent ministry will ensure that their concerns are tackled expeditiously, as opposed to having Youth Affairs bunched together with other entities.
The youth drawn from Embu, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Nyeri and Murang’a counties also want the government to package information in a manner that promotes a cordial relationship between them and the state.
They have argued that currently there exists a communication breakdown, which they said has hampered their participation in national matters.
“The government is speaking a language that the youth do not understand. The youth are a ticking time bomb and I would advocate for the government to come up with better ways of packaging and relaying information that concerns the young people.
They should also come up with a strategy of integrating the youth in civic activities, and promoting our participation in nation building,” said Florence Kiburu from Kirinyaga.
Other issues that the youth want addressed by the proposed Bill include inclusion of young People with Disability (PWD) in government-led empowerment and development programmes.
A member from the deaf community in Nyeri, Caroline Nyambura observed that the contribution of youth with disability is not being felt.
Nyambura noted PWDs are clustered in the same group despite having different needs. She called on the drafters of the Bill to come up with specific interventions which will ensure PWDs enjoy better opportunities.
“People with different forms of disability experience discrimination right from the training level. For instance, a number of deaf people cannot join Technical and Vocational Education Training Centres in their localities due to lack of sign language interpreters. The Bill should therefore be reviewed, with a view to ensuring specific solutions for each category of disability,” she said.
For David Mutie from Murang’a County, the Bill should have clauses on the youth in climate change mitigation.
Mutie said that some of the interventions include engaging the youth in clean up exercises and the revival of Kazi Mtaani, which will ensure that the youth below the age of 35 are at the frontline when it comes to taking care of the environment.
According to the Administrative Secretary in the State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy, Allan Macharia, once enacted into law, the Youth Bill will advance youth development, participation and empowerment.
It will also facilitate youth-driven innovation, research and entrepreneurship.
“We are bringing a law that will develop and empower the youth of Kenya today and in future,” said Macharia, while making his opening remarks at the Nyeri Town Constituency Development Fund Hall in Ruring’u.
Among the highlights of the bill is a proposal to establish office of the Youth Registrar, who will be responsible for registering youth organizations and youth-serving organizations.
While giving their views on the same, the youth proposed that the age of office bearers be capped at 35 years.
“The Bill should create a mechanism for the youth to be incorporated in leadership positions. We should be allowed to elect our fellow youth leaders,” said John Ndungu from Nyandarua.
The Bill is also proposing to expand and strengthen the Youth Fund, which will replace the Youth Enterprise Development Fund. Once established, the new kitty will provide accessible financial resources to youth for entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable livelihood projects.
The mandate of the fund will also include supporting training and capacity-building programs to enhance financial literacy, business management skills, and technical competencies among youth.
There are also proposals to compel the government to establish Youth Empowerment Centres, which will provide a secure environment, where youth can access essential services such as sexual reproductive health, guidance and counselling services and offer support to youth affected by alcohol and drug abuse.
The centres will also retain their mandate of supporting identification, nurturing and incubation of youth innovations, talents, creative and entrepreneurial ideas.
However, Victoria Mwende from Murang’a County told the participants that the Youth Empowerment Centre should be equipped to ensure they serve their purpose.
“We do not want a situation, where we are referring the youth to empowerment centres that lack internet connectivity, yet we expect them to tap into online job opportunities,” she said.
Once passed into law, the bill will also address the needs of youth without education, employment, or training.
The State Department for Youth Affairs will be tasked with implementing programs focused on education and skill enhancement, with emphasis on marginalized and vulnerable youth.
It will also promote technology driven education initiatives to make targeted youth competitive globally and facilitate access to apprenticeships, internships, volunteer opportunities and other work-based learning experiences.
On his part, Nyeri County Commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi lauded the government for coming up with a Bill, which will spur youth development in the country.
He noted that should it be enacted into law; the Bill will tackle some of the major concerns such as unemployment that affect the youthful population in the country.
Mwiwawi also challenged the youth to give realistic feedback to ensure that their key concerns are effectively addressed.
“We expect the Bill to fill a gap. The drafters realized that there is a gap in matters of youth development in this country. Give practical, prudent and pragmatic views, which can be operationalized and turned into actions,” he stated.
By Wangari Mwangi
