The National Youth Council (NYC) has launched its 2nd Strategic Plan for the year 2023-2028 which aims to empower and develop the Youths in the country by amplifying their voices.
“The strategic plan is designed to harness the immense potential of Youth by providing them with the necessary tools, resources and opportunities to thrive in the rapidly changing world through initiative, participation, representation and association,” said Youth Affairs, Sports and Arts Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ababu Namwamba.
The CS made the remarks in a speech read on his behalf by the State Department for Youth Affairs Principal Secretary (PS) Ismail Madey on Wednesday during the launch of the NYC 2nd strategic plan for the year 2023/2024-2027/2028 themed Amplifying the Youth Voice held at Utalii Hotel in Nairobi.
Namwamba said that the launch marks a significant milestone in the commitment to the empowerment and development of the Youth in the country while adding that it recognizes the critical role that the Youth played in shaping the future of the nation.
He noted that with over 75 percent of the country’s population being under the age of 35, the youth represent not just the country’s present but also the future leaders, innovators and drivers of progress.
“It is within this context that the National Youth Council Strategic plan takes on the renewed significance,” he said.
Namwamba reiterated that the strategic plan aims to create an enabling environment where every youth in the country can thrive and fulfill their potential adding that the plan addresses the strategic issues as well as key result areas that align with the national priorities and aspirations of youths.
Additionally, he said that the plan emphasizes on the importance of addressing the diverse needs of the young people including those from marginalized communities, persons living with disabilities and vulnerable groups.
The CS acknowledge the partners and stakeholders who contributed in shaping the strategic plan and look forward to stronger and deeper cooperation with the youth and partners to bring the shared vision in to life while he also urges them to embark together towards a whole new dawn of both promise and fulfillment since the youth are both the present and future pillars of the nation.
He noted that the government has transformed the country’s economic model from perennial top- down to empower the youth and harness their potential for the economic revitalization of the country.
“This revolutionary shift is championed by his Excellency Dr. William Ruto the President of Kenya himself who envisions Kenya and Europe as a fully empowered catalyst for the rapid transformation of our Nation,” CS Said.
He announced that the launch signifies NYC commitment to harnessing the immense talent, energy and creativity of the youths and outlines a vision for empowering young people to become active participants in National development.
“Through this plan, we aim to implement a levering environment that fosters your representation, inclusive participation, association across all spheres of life,” he stated.
The CS has urged the people to reaffirm their commitment to the youth and harness creativity Talent Energy and to build a more prosperous equitable society for all and leave lasting legacy empowerment and opportunities for generations to come.
“To the youths of this Nation, keep believing in your abilities and dreams and break all ceilings of any limitation, connect with one another by strengthening, deepening and broadening networks locally and globally to unleash your full potential,” CS advised.
By Sharon Atieno
