Fast-track new youth policy

A few weeks ago, another policy was launched, adding to interventions to address issues facing youth. An improvement of the National Youth Policy of 2007, it is aligned to the new realities to have emerged in the recent past.

One of the factors that has been deeply considered is the 2010 Constitution, which ushered in devolution, and makes several provisions which require the State to take measures including affirmative action to address unemployment and other challenges facing youth.

Other realities are the Sustainable Development Goals, African Youth Charter 2063, Kenya Vision 2030 and mid-term plans like the “Big Four Agenda”.

The previous legal framework and policies have contributed immensely to advancing the youth agenda. Key among them was the National Youth Policy and, later, the National Youth Council (NYC). We also have affirmative programmes and funds — including Youth Enterprise Development Fund, Women Enterprise Fund, Uwezo Fund, Biashara Fund, Marshall Plan for Youth Employment and Development (Kazi kwa Vijana) and the ongoing National Hygiene Programme (Kazi Mtaani).

The Kenya Youth Development Policy 2019 presents a framework for the young people to hold the national and county governments responsible in their implementation of projects and programmes. It advocates inclusion of young people in decision-making and implementation of development projects and job creation and boosting business for youth.

Unlike the previous ones, this policy calls for the establishment of the Kenya Youth Development Index to measure the efficiency of the interventions to youth’s issues. It is critical for the stakeholders to fast-track its implementation.

NYC now has the opportunity to prove its mettle by putting in place a stronger follow-up mechanism in collaboration with youth at the grassroots level.

Mr Kosgei is the executive director, One Child One Tree Initiative. [email protected].