The government is ready to give a listening ear to the youth, Kajiado North Deputy County Commissioner Yusuf Mohammed has said.
Speaking during a forum to mark this year’s International Youth Day theme, “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond”, the DCC noted that the voice of the youth is important, as they can contribute and be part of building this nation.
Yusuf, who at the same time unveiled the Voice of the Kenyan Foundation, a convener body for national intergenerational dialogue that will be engaging in meetings across Kajiado between the government, youth, parents, and also professionals, noted that the youth can air their voices and be heard without chaos.
“As leaders, we have come together, ready to listen to our youth and partner with them to foster peace. We can agree to disagree but walk and work together in an amicable environment,” the DCC said.
The Kajiado North Sub-County Administrator Samuel Muchiri asked youth groups in the area to come together and register as self-help groups so that they would not miss out on opportunities set for the youth.
“I want to urge the youth to think about their personal growth and focus, utilise opportunities and also be agents of peace,” he added
Muchiri said the upcoming International Peace Day will be commemorated in the sub-county on September 21 and revealed that plans are underway to bring thousands of youths together to participate in showcasing various talents.
The International Day of Peace 2025 theme is “Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals.
Daniel Kwesi, coordinator of the Voice of Kenya foundation, said that their journey will begin in Kajiado North and they will be walking and convening meetings with the youth and other stakeholders to preach peace.
“We can gather together and speak on matters of national healing, peace, and reconciliation in our country, Kenya. Young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the driving force of today and so we are not going to wait for the peacekeepers; we are going to make peace,” he said.
During the World Peace Day, Kwesi said the foundation will mobilise the youth from all villages in Kajiado so that they can gather together to celebrate not only their achievements but also speak on their challenges.
Martin Wafula, a youth leader in Maasai Lodge Road in Ongata Rongai, said the youth are ready for dialogue and asked the leadership of the government, churches, and also parents to include them in their plans and discussions.
“The biggest challenge we are having as youth is unemployment, and we are just urging leaders to include us in their programmes. We are lacking identity, and we need to be embraced,” he said.
Raphael Mbulu, Community Division chair and Nyumba Kumi coordinator, asked the youth to partner with them so that they can address matters of drug abuse and petty crimes within the area.
Nyambura Kigera from the National Authority for Campaign against Drug Abuse (NACADA) in Kajiado North called upon the youth not to give up hope and not to engage in alcohol and substance abuse.
“We have forums across the sub-county where we offer services including sensitisation on drug and alcohol abuse, mental wellness, and also rehabilitation referrals. We have also established centres in Matasia and Ngong with counsellors, and we encourage the youth to utilise these spaces,” she said.
Meanwhile, DCC Yusuf had earlier met with the Apostolic Faith Church, Ngong, to plan for an upcoming healing conference to be held in October.
During the meeting hosted by Apostle John Kimani, the DCC thanked the clergy and the city fathers for their role in fostering and promoting peace in the sub-county.
He reiterated the role they play as crucial in furthering peace efforts and urged reconciliatory messages in their teachings to congregants, assuring them of the government’s full support in implementing their peace initiatives in the sub-county.
By Wangari Ndirangu
