Kakamega youth to be involved in governance under new policy

Youths in Kakamega will now be able to meet their governor and get involved in governance.

This is according to the Kakamega Youth Policy that has been developed by the Department of Social Services, Sports, Youth, Gender and  Culture. 

The pillars of the Kakamega Youth Policy 2023 are youth empowerment, training and development, youth mainstreaming and youth participation in governance processes.

The policy approved by the cabinet sub-committee chaired by Deputy Governor Ayub Savula on legislation on Monday seeks to provide a framework for youth empowerment, talent nurturing and development and governance.

It commits the county government to establish governor’s forum where the county chief will meet youths periodically to inform them on programmes the government is implementing.

They will then give feedback to the government for enhancement of the programmes. 

“The policy seeks to provide a framework within which youths programmes will be anchored to ensure the county government achieves the promises Governor Fernandes Barasa made in his manifesto which has been aligned with the county development plans” said Mophat Mandela, the county Social Service, Sports, Youth, Gender and  Culture executive.

The policy also commits the county government to ensure youth friendly services in health and agriculture and adherence to the 30 per cent contracts for youth and women in procuring its services.

“This aims to entice our young people into taking up agriculture as a source of income and shore up uptake of sexual reproductive services by the youth,” Mophat Mandela said.

Mandela said that the policy will ensure the involvement of the young people in making decisions that impact on them as the government implements programmes that involve them.

He said the policy will streamline the implementation of the Kakamega County Youths and Women Empowerment set to start this financial year.

Savula said the document is aligned to Governor Barasa's manifesto and his six-point agenda to transform Kakamega county as well as other related International, national and county policies.

“I appreciate the International Republican Institute for walking the journey with Kakamega county towards ensuring the policy is operational,” he said. 

Mandela said that his department is also working on a social protection policy that will anchor programmes targeting the vulnerable.

The policy will guide issuance of grants Governor Barasa promised the vulnerable in the society, including women, to better their lives.

The county government has set aside Sh100 million for provision of the grants this financial year.

Governor Barasa in May launched the Kakamega County Children's Policy, marking a major milestone in championing the rights of minors in the county.