Hundreds of Youths in South Nyanza region and parts of Rift valley converged at Kisii National Polytechnic in the outskirts of Kisii town, to give their views on the Youth Bill 2024 draft which will become law after all opinions from stakeholders in the 47 counties have been incorporated.
Dr. Josphine Etenyi, the Director of Youth development in charge of policy, research and Mainstreaming in the state Department of Youth Affairs and Creative Economy underscored the importance of the exercise which was ongoing in all the eight regions of the country saying the state department had no Act of parliament that drives the youth agenda in the country.
The bill, she said, had introduced the Youth Fund that will succeed the Youth Enterprise Development Fund which has been in existence via a legal notice.
Dr. Etenyi said this will help strengthen the youth fund to meet the needs of many youth programs in the state department including entrepreneurship, and capacity building for skills that are employable in the labour market or through self-employment for sustainable livelihoods.
The youth bill also proposes creation of office of the Registrar that will be mandated to register youth organizations with a clear data base, and will be mandated to arbitrate on the matters affecting the organizations.
She said the bill would also have an award scheme for the youth in the creative industry which will recognize those who do well in personal talents to enable them talented individuals.
Calling upon the youth to make their contribution to the law process, Dr. Etenyi urged them to participate adequately to make the bill better.
One youth, Denis Orioki said the exercise was timely and a great opportunity for youth as they had many challenges which were expressed during the recent nationwide GenZ protests.
However, Orioki noted that the bill needed to indicate the percentage of budget allocation to the Youth fund even if it was 5% or more.
On the clause of the registrar for the youth, Orioki said it was good thing for youth organizations to be recognized.
Rebecca Motari applauded the managers of the public participation saying the bill was distributed in good time for youth to dwell on it beforehand.
She appealed for a clause on mental challenges for the youth saying it was important during the current harsh economic times.
On marginalization of the youth, Motari called for proper recognition of not only the persons with Disability but all the marginalized groups including the street families and teenage mothers who are often left out in many conversations.
Colarzone Maria, a member of the Gusii Development Forum expressed pleasure at being able to give her views on sporting talent, music, and art among others.
She urged other youths to actively participate in the making of the law so that it can address their myriads of challenges.
By Berdita Nyanchama and Jane Naitore
