The International Republican Institute (IRI) has partnered with the County government of Kakamega in capacity building initiatives to empower youth and civil society groups to develop skills on data analysis and public communication.
Drawn from various organizations, the training was geared towards empowering and supporting the youth so that they can be more active in participating in leadership and democratization processes.
Speaking to KNA after the three-days training workshop, Executive Director at Siasa Place, Nerima Wako said that IRI has implemented the programme in three counties of Kitui, Lamu and now Kakamega.
“We are working with the youth so that they can constructively participate in governance and democratization,” she said. “It is time for the youth to take over leadership if there is any hope left for a better tomorrow,’’ she added.
Wako encouraged use of social media to raise awareness and mobilize youth to peacefully participate in politics. “It’s time for young people to join politics so that they can be accountable for youth resource allocation for youth programmes and work towards youth interest litigation,” she added.
County Director of Youth Affairs in Kakamega County Mr. Shem Baraza hailed IRI for working closely with the government in empowering the youth to improve local governance.
Baraza said that the county was actively engaging youth in its programmes and singled out the event that the youth participated in Makueni and an upcoming cultural event in Mombasa in which close to three hundred youth from Kakamega are to attend.
He said the youth will have a forum with the county officials including the governor in which they will be allowed to air out their opinions and grievances freely in order to improve service delivery in the county.
By Darius Sakwa
