Ahead of International Youth Day (IYD) on 12th August 2024, the government, through the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, launched National Youth Week in Kisumu on 6th August, with additional regional activities in Eldoret, Murang’a, and Isiolo.
The theme for this year’s IYD is ‘From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,’. This theme resonates with the Digital Superhighway Pillar of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) under the Kenya Kwanza Plan (2022-2027).
The National Youth Week was held from August 4th to 12th, 2024. This year, activities were centered around five critical pillars: Climate Action, Agriculture, Health, Governance, and the Creative Industry. These pillars represent areas where the youth will significantly contribute to national development and global progress.
Throughout these events, the aim was to engage and impact over 5000 youth, including the International Youth Day celebration, fostering a generation of informed, active, and empowered individuals. In addition to various activities, policy briefs addressing the five pillars will be launched during the International Youth Day celebration.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir said these events were timely and pivotal, as the country embraces the digital era.
”This year’s theme aligns with the Digital Superhighway Pillar of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) under the Kenya Kwanza Plan, emphasizing the digitization and automation of government services. This initiative will not only enhance service delivery but also contribute significantly to the pillars of Health, Agriculture, MSMEs, and Financing, fostering a resilient, inclusive, and innovative economy for our youth. We are committed to empowering the youth and creating platforms where they can express their voices and contribute meaningfully to society,” he said.
Principal Secretary Youth Affairs and Creative Economy, Ismail Maalim Madey. added “ In alignment with the International Youth Day theme, we recognize the transformative power of digital technology in advancing these pillars. Digital tools have always acted as an enabler to innovate, connect, and lead efforts that drive sustainable development across these critical areas. ”
CEO NYC, Margaret Kiogora said at the International Youth Day celebrations in Mombasa, they will be launching comprehensive policy briefs, focused on Climate Action, Agriculture, Health, Governance, and the Creative Industry. These policy briefs have been developed in consultation with Youth leaders, experts, and stakeholders, regionally. They will outline actionable strategies and recommendations to support Youth involvement and leadership in the various stated pillars.
”The aim is for them to serve as guiding documents for policymakers, institutions, and organizations to align their efforts with the aspirations and needs of our Youth as well as to create an enabling environment where young people can thrive, innovate, and lead. We urge all stakeholders— government, private sector, civil society, and the Youth themselves—to collaborate with us, in driving the agenda of these five critical pillars to the next level.” she said.
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