Youth leaders, government officials and community organizations in Kwale County, have welcomed the launch of the 2026–2030 Strategic Plan by Youth for a Sustainable World (YSW) aimed at empowering young people through leadership, economic opportunities, sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) and the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Speaking during the launch, Kwale County Director of Youth Affairs, Kent Simiyu, praised the Organization for supporting youth development initiatives in the County.
“First of all, I want to thank this organization because it has been in Kwale for a long time, helping our youth and we can see the results,” said Simiyu.
He said the Strategic Plan provides a clear roadmap up to 2030, focusing on issues affecting young people, including SRHR, economic empowerment and leadership development.
“As government, we do not have enough resources to reach every young person. Organizations like these complement the work we are doing,” he said.
Simiyu added that the partnership will help connect youth to opportunities such as the Youth Fund, Uwezo Fund, vocational training programs and the upcoming National Youth Council elections.“We will use this platform to educate our youth on the National Youth Council, the benefits involved and how they can participate,” he added.
Nelly Amoite, Gender Director from the State Department of Gender, said the Strategic Plan addresses key challenges affecting youth, especially young women.
“When you look at the Strategic Plan, many issues affecting our youth have been addressed, including SRHR, health matters, gender equality and leadership,” she said.
Amoite noted that the Plan will help empower girls through business opportunities, leadership awareness and advocacy against Gender-Based Violence.
She also revealed that the government plans to establish a Gender-Based Violence rescue center in Kwale County within the coming months.
Philis Wabwire, Program and Advocacy Coordinator for Youth for a Sustainable World (YSW), said the Strategic Plan was developed through consultations with youth, government departments and community stakeholders.
“The Strategic Plan clearly outlines our vision of empowering young people, especially women and girls, in shaping their rights, opportunities and future,” she added.
Wabwire said the organization will focus on access to SRHR services and information, entrepreneurship training, vocational skills development, women and girls’ empowerment and youth participation in governance and policy-making.
“We want to raise leaders, not leaders of tomorrow, but leaders of today,” she stressed.
She also highlighted the triple threat facing young people HIV infections, Gender-Based Violence and teenage pregnancies, saying the organization continues to conduct trainings and life skills programs in schools to address the challenges.
Biasha Jasho, Executive Director for Msambweni Queens Self-Help group, said previous collaborations with YSW had positively impacted youth through training and economic empowerment programs.
“The Strategic Plan still strongly focuses on Gender-Based Violence issues, which is something we continue to work on,” she said.
Ibrahim Shabani of Lungalunga Youth Community Based Organization (CBO), said the Strategic Plan strongly encourages young people to seek leadership positions ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“As we approach the 2027 elections, we are seeing more young people aspiring for leadership. This Plan gives them space to grow as leaders,” he said.
Youth representative, Swalha Fadhili, from Young Shutters, said the strategy will help address GBV, teenage pregnancies and HIV infections through community awareness programs.
“The awareness we are creating in communities will bring change,” she said.
By Chari Suche
