By Daniel Odeke
According to the 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census, Kenya boasts a youthful population, with people below the age of 19 years making up almost half (40%) of the population. This youthful population has a direct effect on the county’s health and development agenda as it puts increasing demands on the provision of services including health and education.
The statistics above paint a vivid picture on a canvas of unfathomed socio-economic capability made possible by contributions from an energetic and opinionated population in the country. This directly points to the need to build the capacity of youths in a bid to scale up and strengthen youth participation in the planning and budget-making process as well as being agents for their fellow youths.
At the heart of improving youths’ development and socio-economic is the need to create and provide a safe arena for all youths to express themselves before they can share their opinions. The said lot carries the embodiment of equality, diversity and inclusion, and community involvement being able to deliver bespoke intervention and prevention projects for young people. Engaging youths in various decision-making processes not only facilitates their needs, concerns, and aspirations effectively but also results in more sustainable and inclusive planning and development, ultimately creating a community that is well-sustained.
Challenges such as limited access to youth-friendly services, uninformed decision-making, and uneven distribution of public resources can be addressed by involving youth in the initial processes. Youth-formed organizations with formal governance structures can develop joint action plans highlighting key concerns and creating awareness on the socio-economic impact of increased teenage pregnancies through proper education to fellow youths in and out of school.
Realization by the national and county governments to recognize youths and youth network, involving them in country and county planning and budgetary processes, giving them room to voice their opinions. Youths are powerful agents of change when capacitated and empowered with the right information, tools, and skills. This lot can provide an infinite source of motivation and inspiration for fellow youth, building their urge to be involved in decision-making.
It is thus important that governments encourage the creation of youth-lead networks and the development of joint action plans, to further recognition of youth and build trust. Championing youth-friendly services through participation in planning as well as the mentorship of fellow youths could achieve much traction if the youths affected by these are directly engaged.
Daniel Odeke is an SRHR Advocate at NAYA Kenya. Email: danielodeke@outlook.com Twitter: @D_Oramisi
