By Rop Janet, KNA
Youth attending the 2025 Youth Devolution Festival in Kajiado have benefited from a wide range of government services after Huduma Centre Kajiado set up a service desk at the three-day event.
The festival, which kicked off on October 1, brought together youth from all 47 counties under the theme “Harnessing Devolution through Youth Empowerment, Innovation, and Job Creation for Economic Growth.”
Among the services provided were issuance and replacement of national identity cards, registration of births and deaths, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) PIN services, tax compliance certificates, and passport applications.
Participants were also able to register and make inquiries with the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), carry out business name searches and registrations, apply for police clearance certificates, and enroll in cash transfer programmes targeting the elderly and vulnerable groups.
Young people were further introduced to opportunities under affirmative action funds, the Women and Youth Enterprise Funds, and Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) aimed at opening up government tenders to youth and women entrepreneurs.
Jackline Otuori from Huduma Centre Kenya said the centres have become a vital link between government and citizens by making services accessible at the grassroots. She urged young people to take advantage of the opportunities available, noting that many of the services directly support their education, employment, and business ventures.
“Huduma Centres are designed to save citizens time, cut costs, and make government services more efficient. For the youth, this means quicker access to essential documents like IDs, police clearance certificates and KRA PINs that are often required when applying for jobs or internships,” she said.
Otuori added that services such as business name registration, AGPO certification, and access to youth and women funds enable young people to become entrepreneurs and bid for government tenders. She further noted that registration with the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) ensures young people are protected in matters of health and social security.
She said beyond service delivery, Huduma Centres are also creating pathways for youth through internship and mentorship programmes aimed at equipping them with practical skills for the job market.
Mary Wambui, a participant from Nyeri County, was among the hundreds of youths who flocked to the Huduma desk to process key documents. She said the services saved her both time and transport costs, allowing her to focus on her job search.
“I was able to apply for my police clearance certificate without having to travel far. This will help me in my job applications,” she noted.
Another participant from Ilbisil in Kajiado County, Joseph Mutunkei, said the Huduma services came at the right time for many young people who often struggle to access government offices.
“I managed to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA) and also update my NSSF details. For youth in rural areas like us, this kind of outreach is very important,” he said.
Beyond service delivery, the Youth Devolution festival also provided a platform for youth to showcase innovations, sharpen entrepreneurial skills, and explore opportunities in climate-smart agriculture, technology, and creative industries.
It further served as a space for dialogue, allowing youth to engage with government, civil society, and private sector stakeholders on issues affecting their welfare and participation in national development.