Daily Archives: 2022-09-01

Truly the Sawazisha Gumzo program continues to impact more lives day in day out. In partnership with Spread Truth Africa and Ilaramatak Community Concern, National Youth Council undertook a mentorship program on various issues affecting teenagers at Kajiado County. The partnership oversaw mentorship on early pregnancies, early marriages, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) at Gen. Nkaisserry High School. Another school that received the mentorship is Enkorika Secondary.

According to Council Ceo, Mr Roy Sasaka Telewa, the Sawazisha Gumzo program has empowered and created awareness amongst teenage girls on early marriages, FGM, and teenage pregnancies to eradicate the menaces in the community. Mr Telewa and Ms Wairimu have continued to advocate for the end of FGM among teenage girls. FGM is harmful to practise that involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. The practice has no benefit to women and girls.

In addition, the Sawazisha Gumzo program oversaw girls’ graduation after eight weeks of the FGM curriculum session. The girls were awarded a certificate of completion and recognition. Besides, the girls were awarded dignity packs to facilitate their personal needs while in school. In support of Healthy Youth, 2 tonnes of food was distributed. Significantly, Kanze Dena, the government Spokesperson, graced the awarding ceremony and climax of the mentorship program. Through her life experiences, she mentored girls on values such as discipline, hope, and hard work. This has helped her to be the person she is currently.

The African Youth Union held the first annual consultative young leaders’ dialogue held in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco from 21st-22nd July 2022 in the presence of Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, the Moroccan Minister of Culture.

Countries such as Sudan, Egypt, and Ethiopia have all previously hosted this youth union.

Morocco was given the honor of hosting this edition in the capital after extensive negotiations with the African Union (AU) were carried out by the minister in January.

The event attracted more than 150 youth leaders and ministers from 49 different African nations, including the youth ministers of Kenya, Madagascar, and Botswana.

The consultative dialogue was held at a particular time for PYU as its union celebrated its 60 years of rallying and amplifying the youth voice regionally and internationally.

The objective of the Pan African Youth Union is to gather and mobilize young Africans on all continents to realize the ideals and strategies of the AU, including unity, peace, democracy, sustainable development and African integration.

The role of the AU and its priorities were underlined by Mr Bensaid and all the representatives.

Since the adoption of the AU agenda in 2063, the heads of state and government had emphasized the need for a commitment and responsible youth capable of driving and taking charge of African indigenous development.

The PYU thematic areas discussed were: Climate Action and Environmental Sustainability; Peace and Security; Migration; Skill development: entrepreneurship, education and youth employment; Health and Lifestyle; Economic Inclusion and Africa Continental Free trade Area; and Youth Development and institutional capacity.

The first plenary session was convened themed: Consolidating our gains: Forging Partnerships Towards the African Renaissance  which was moderated by Mr. Roy Sasaka, CEO of National Youth Council Kenya.

The meeting was geared to deliberate with leaders of National Youth Councils, Regional Organizations, and Youth-Led Civil Society organizations across Africa to consolidate the common ground for experience-sharing and discussion and reflect the aspirations of African Youth.

Among the vital issues recommended to be addressed through collaboration and synergies included illegal migration, border conflicts, and market issues. Other areas which were discussed included: (i)Reengineering Africa’s Socio-economic construct; changing mindset to guarantee youth the #theAfricaWeWant (ii)Renewing our commitments towards a resilient and progressive Africa and  (iii)Towards a Common Future: Consolidating partnerships, connecting and transforming through the youth.

Also in attendance was CAS National Treasury and Planning Mr. Eric Wafukho,  Secretary of Youth Affairs in the State Department for Youth Affairs, HSC, Mr. Raymond Ochieng, Libyan Minister of Youth, African Peer Review Management Organization chief of staff advocate Mr Batlokoa and Deputy of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Madagascar, Ms. Juliana Tahina Ratovoscon.

The 9th Africa Scout Youth Forum was held on 21st-24th August 2022 at Don Bosco Youth Educational Services. In partnership with the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), the world’s leading educational youth movement will represent over 57 million members from 172 million countries and territories while the 18th Africa Scout Conference will also take place from 25th–28th August in Nairobi, Kenya.

The event brought together over 200 delegates from National Scout Organizations , partners, invited guests and other participants from Africa and across the world.

The day started with a welcoming session that was kicked off by a moment of meditation after-which the Youth Advisors welcomed participants and took them through the working methods of the forum.

In line with this year’s theme, Shaping Connected Futures in the context of Youth and Leadership, it highlights the desire the movement has to support young people to reimagine a future where their dreams and aspirations are intertwined individually and collectively with the prosperity of each other and sustainability of the planet.

The National Youth Council CEO, Mr Roy Sasaka Telewa acknowledged the synergy between the Kenya Scouts , Scouting Africa and Scout leaders in inspiring young people to create a better world where they may achieve their potential and contribute positively to their community.

The National Youth Council champions youth empowerment in all spheres of life. In this regard, it has partnered with other organizations to achieve the mandate. Together with Spread Truth Africa, the council carried out a two-day youth empowerment session in Meru county under the umbrella of Sawazisha Gumzo & Mentorship. The Meru Youth Service (MYS) spearheaded the session. The session oversaw the passing out of 500 servicemen and women, majorly youth. In honour of the program’s impact, H.E Kiraitu Murungi graced the pass out.

Sawazisha Gumzo is a program under the National Youth Council Kenya. It is an intragenerational and intergenerational dialogue that aims to support youth mentally and psychosocially through value transfer and mentorship. Also, the program addresses the cultural and socioeconomic factors that accelerate challenges youth encounter. Based on the fact that the contemporary digital lifestyle has impacted every aspect of life, the youth were enlightened on moral values so they can live and prosper. According to Ms Wairimu, failure to guard discipline jeopardizes one’s future. In addition, the communication and Advocacy head emphasized the importance of maintaining discipline at all costs since the country’s future depends entirely on youth. On the other hand, Ms Wairimu acknowledged the normality of mental struggles such as anxiety, stress, and depression resulting from experiences youth encounter as they grow. Ms Wairimu urged the youth to speak out whenever they struggle mentally.

The CEO of National Youth Council Kenya, Mr Roy Sasaka, exhibited the importance of youth mentorship especially in avoiding wrong steps. According to the CEO, mentorship pays and enhances forward movement; one also impacts other people’s lives through mentorship. Meanwhile, during the pass-out, the significant role of training was pinpointed. According to the CEO of Meru Youth Service, the training aims at instilling personal discipline and moral upgrade. It is also a rehabilitation process. Besides, the youth are expected to give back to the community after passing out. The climax of the activities involves an award ceremony. The activity articulated the need for youth to be enlightened on available opportunities that might enhance their sustainability.