Young people have been urged to take up a leading role in shaping public policies, seize available opportunities, and take up leadership positions to help shape their own destiny and that of the country.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the 7th Regional Youth in Action (YIA) Forum in Nairobi, Mumias East Member of Parliament, Peter Salasya, challenged young people across Kenya and Africa to believe in themselves and pursue their ambitions by taking advantage of prevailing democratic space, saying age should never be a barrier to leadership or success.
The youthful parliamentarian underscored that young people, being the majority population, have the capacity to influence both governance and national development if they actively participate in decision-making processes and remain informed about ongoing government programmes and policies.
“My message to the young people of Kenya and Africa is that no one is limited in achieving the goals they set for themselves. Information is power, and if you do not seek it, no one will hand it to you,” he said.
According to the legislator, access to timely and accurate information is critical in addressing unemployment, poverty, and other socio-economic challenges facing young people.
“Accessing accurate information is one of the most effective ways to address poverty, unemployment, and other challenges facing young people,” he said.
Salasya encouraged aspiring young leaders to contest elective positions without being discouraged by financial constraints, saying leadership should be driven by vision, commitment, and service to the people.
The three-day forum, organized by Arigatou International in partnership with Norwegian Church Aid and other stakeholders, brought together more than 30 youth leaders from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Somalia, and South Sudan to strengthen their capacity for peacebuilding missions before, during, and after elections.
The forum seeks to equip young people with advocacy, civic education, and leadership skills to help prevent election-related violence, recognising that many African countries experience heightened tensions during electoral periods.
On digital governance, the lawmaker challenged African governments to strengthen legal and constitutional safeguards that protect freedom of expression and digital rights as countries continue embracing digital transformation.
He said protecting online freedoms would not only enhance civic participation but also create a favourable environment for innovation, investment, and entrepreneurship.
“Unrestricted access to digital platforms encourages investment by international technology companies while creating more opportunities for young people to participate in the digital economy,” he observed.
He added that expansion of internet connectivity and investing in digital infrastructure would bridge the digital divide and enable more young people to access education, innovation, and employment opportunities while participating in the growing digital economy.
Executive Director, Arigatou International-ECP, Fred Nyabera, said the forum seeks to equip young people with advocacy, civic education, and leadership skills to prevent election-related violence, noting that many African countries often experience heightened tensions during electoral periods.
“We do not want to wait until violence happens. Our intention is to mitigate and prevent it by promoting civic awareness and meaningful youth engagement as a way of life,” he said.
He observed that youth form the majority of Africa’s population and possess the greatest potential to become agents of peace and social transformation; however, they are frequently manipulated into political violence.
Nyabera pointed out that the creativity and innovations demonstrated by young people, particularly through online platforms, need to be channelled towards promoting peaceful elections, civic education, and countering violence.
“If young people can use the same capacity, they have shown in mobilising themselves to become peace ambassadors and spread positive messages through social media, we can build a new culture of peaceful democratic participation,” he said.
He said such forums provide young people with an opportunity to engage in meaningful intergenerational and cross-sectoral dialogue with Members of Parliament, civil society organisations, and faith leaders, enabling them to exchange ideas and jointly develop practical solutions to strengthen peace and democratic governance.
Nyabera underscored the role of faith communities in advancing peace, saying while religions may differ in doctrine, they all uphold the dignity of humanity and should focus on values that unite rather than divide society.
“Religion is a powerful tool for promoting peace. We choose to focus on what brings people together,” he said.
He said the regional gathering provides an opportunity for young leaders from diverse backgrounds, including countries affected by conflict, to share experiences, learn from one another, and build networks that will strengthen peacebuilding efforts across the region.
He acknowledged that peacebuilding is a long-term process that requires resilience, partnerships, and sustained commitment, noting that various stakeholders, including governments, faith groups, and civil society organisations, have a role to play in supporting youth-led initiatives.
Nyabera described Africa’s youthful population as one of the continent’s greatest assets, saying young people are not only future leaders but also today’s change-makers capable of driving peaceful coexistence and sustainable development.
By Ian Chepkuto
