The government has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young people as catalysts for peace and leadership in the country.
This assurance was made during the official launch of the Youth in Leadership and Peacebuilding training in Nairobi.
The forum, held in partnership with the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) through its Women, Youth, Peace and Security Institute (WYPSI), the National Youth Council (NYC), and Kenya’s State Department for Youth Affairs and the Creative Economy, brought together delegates and youth leaders from Kenya and Uganda.
State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy Principal Secretary (PS) Mr. Fikirini Jacobs reaffirmed the government’s commitment to youth inclusion in decision-making.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Director of Youth Affairs and Creative Economy Emily Maina, the PS applauded the programme for embodying a regional and inclusive approach by integrating participants from multiple counties and Uganda.
“Together, you are transforming passion into purpose and commitment into collective action; empowering youth is essential for achieving peace and development in Africa,” he said.
He also affirmed the government’s support for capacity-building initiatives aimed at empowering youth to become transformative leaders.
“Our youth are not just tomorrow’s leaders; they are leaders today. Through such training, we are equipping them to take up roles that shape our peace and development agendas,” Fikirini Stated.
Internal Security and National Administration Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo stated that youth are not a problem but a blessing, constituting over 75 per cent of Kenya’s population.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Secretary of the National Steering Committee on Peace Building and Conflict Management, Mr. Mohamed Barre, Dr. Omollo said that some countries pay families to have children. Kenya, however, is blessed with a vibrant youth population. The challenge is not their numbers but how we engage and empower them.
He emphasised the importance of observing law and order in civic participation, warning that “picketing within the law is a right, but chaos derails the goals we all seek.”
The PS called on youth to avoid drugs and alcohol, describing them as the greatest threats to their future.
“There are drugs in the market that turn users into addicts after a single try. We must protect our young people from such destructive forces,” he cautioned.
Ms. Sylvia Horname Noagbesenu, Director of WYPSI at KAIPTC, highlighted the strategic foundation of the training programme.
She noted that youth under 30 years make up about 75 per cent of Africa’s population, a force too significant to be sidelined.
“We’re not here for formality; we’re here to nurture youth leadership and peacebuilding capacity. This initiative is a culmination of consultations from Kenya, Uganda, Senegal, Nigeria, and Ghana,” she noted.
Ms. Horname explained how the WYPSI, originally established in 2013, expanded in 2023 to include a youth component after extensive research and regional consultations.
The findings informed the creation of a youth peacebuilding manual now being used to train young leaders across Africa.
She commended the National Youth Council and the Swedish government, whose support has been vital in funding and implementing these capacity-building programmes.
“We must recognise that the challenges facing our youth, such as limited education access, unemployment, and cultural restrictions, can only be addressed through meaningful inclusion in governance and peace initiatives,” she said.
Dr. Francis Nderitu, CEO of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, praised the collaboration between regional institutions and stressed the importance of nurturing youth as peace ambassadors in volatile regions.
The week-long training features workshops, dialogues, and collaborative activities that explore the links between youth leadership, governance, and sustainable peace.
Participants were urged to demonstrate patience, respect for elders, and commitment to education, which were described as foundational pillars for becoming effective leaders.
By Naif Rashid and Brenda Oluoch
