The National Youth Council is mandated under Section 4 of the NYC act 2009(Rev 2012,2014) to act as the voice and bridge to ensure that the Government and the policymakers are kept informed of the views and aspirations of the Youth. It is also mandated to promote the inclusion of Youth in decision-making bodies and institutions.

The Council conducted a leadership and governance forum in Bungoma(Kimilili) at Lechante Hotel, Tranzoia(Kitale) at ICM and Busia (Nambale) at Thorn and Thatch. This being an electioneering period, it was meant to offer an opportunity to the youth leaders to discuss: the challenges and opportunities that the youth face in different counties, youth taking up leadership spaces, youth civic responsibility, youth participation in the economic development, Youth as peace ambassadors and Youth and the existing empowerment initiatives.

The NYC Kenya mobilized 150 youth leaders in each of the counties totalling 450 youth participants. The youth mobilization considered the two thirds gender rule with consideration of Youth with Disability. The CEO NYC Sir Roy Sasaka Telewa set the Agenda of the session by presenting the program of the day and the overview of NYC. Key NYC programs include; Sawazisha Gumzo, Intergenerational dialogue forums, leadership and governance forum, environmental conservation, youth exchange programme, talent and innovation, Fursa Vs Virus.

The leaders in attendance were Mr Raymond Ochieng YAB engaged in leadership and governance dialogue, Ms Angel Mbuthia Youth Advisory Board discussed Youth Civic responsibility and Youth Opportunities Innovation for Prosperity Dialogue was discussed by Ms June Chepkemei of Konza Technopolis.

As NYC Kenya, we would like to recommend an increased number of forums to all the counties, increased budget for events to cater for a higher number of participants mobilized, engage with more partners for a wider reach, identify and facilitate youth champions to advocate the government agenda on the ground, enhanced capacity building on qualities of good leaders, political rights and responsibilities and consider the use of mainstream media and social media for advocacy.

The first Edition of Kiambu County Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week at Jomo Kenyatta University of Technology(JKUAT) was launched by the ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru on Thursday 24th March 2022.

He urged the youths in Kiambu to take advantage of the opportunities the government is offering through the Studio Mashinani Project which provides an opportunity for them to develop their creative talents and earn from them. He added our youth must be empowered with skills geared toward shifting their mindsets from job seekers to job creators and owners of capital.

“The innovation week is the first of its kind in the county considering the youth in the area,” said Mr Erick Keriko, Kiambu Chief Officer for Youth, Innovation and Communication. The county government has set aside Sh138 million and another Sh1.3 billion from Kenya Commercial Bank as grants for innovators and provision of capital for youth to unlock their potential.

Thursday 24th March 2022, President Uhuru Kenyatta launched the Microsoft Africa Development Center(ADC) in iconic Dunhill Towers, Westlands Nairobi. Microsoft, the American technology giant has set up two ADCs in Lagos, Nigeria and Nairobi, Kenya.

The center is designed to be a platform for the world-class African talent to create technology solutions for local and global impact. Our country will provide an environment for African techies to develop solutions to address local and global challenges. He was accompanied by ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru.

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.