Policymakers are being encouraged to include young people in key decision-making processes to help them exploit available opportunities for economic empowerment.
Speaking at a youth forum in Kisumu City, Joseph Ojuki, Executive Director of the Health and Economic Development Strategy Organisation (HEDSO), emphasised that youth inclusion in decision-making ensures they have full access to their social, economic, and political rights, enabling them to reach their full potential.
“It is through full participation in decision-making processes that governments can create enabling environments for women, girls, and youths to gain the knowledge and expertise needed to engage lawmakers and effect changes on issues like climate change, sexual reproductive health, mental health, drug abuse, and the Finance Bill 2024,” Ojuki stressed.
Ojuki pointed out that although the majority of Kenya’s population is young, they are underrepresented in decision-making processes across various economic sectors, which affects their well-being. He noted that involving youth in formulating the contentious Finance Bill 2024 can facilitate smoother implementation by making them feel ownership of the process.
Youths face many pressing issues that they understand best. When given a platform to articulate their agendas and ideas, they can leverage their expertise to disseminate information among their peers, ensuring effective implementation of policies,” Ojuki said.
Hillary Kitel from the Drylands Learning and Capacity Building Initiative challenged the notion that youth are future leaders, asserting that they are the change-makers of today who influence policy implementation. He emphasised that young people must lead campaigns addressing joblessness, drug abuse, finances, gender-based violence, and other issues contributing to rising mental health cases among youth.
The convention, themed ‘Nafasi Yetu Ni Sauti Yangu,’ brought together various organisations working with young people to provide a platform for youth voices to be heard, deliberate on issues, and advocate for change.
The youth summit, supported by the Voice Youth Community of Practice project, was attended by young professionals and policymakers from Kisumu, Nairobi, Mombasa, Homa Bay, Kakamega, and Siaya counties on June 13–14.
Ojuki noted that policymakers from the six counties were invited to respond to issues raised by young participants and commit to action. “After identifying tangible issues affecting young people and hindering their potential, we will have leaders who sit at decision-making tables commit to addressing these issues,” Ojuki said.
He added, “We will use this agreement to follow up with these leaders, advocate for, and push to ensure these issues are addressed, enhancing the well-being of young people and ensuring their voices are heard in various forums.”
By Robert Ojwang’
