KAKAMEGA DEVELOPING POLICY TO CHAMPION FOR YOUTH AGENDA

The Kakamega County Youth Policy that is currently being reviewed by key stakeholders in the County will champion for inclusion of young people in decision making process and Governance, enhance their participation in development process and create a conducive environment for the youth to empower themselves and fully exploit their potential.

This was revealed by the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Social Services, Sports, Youth, Gender and Culture Mr Mophat Mandela during a consultative meeting with Members of the Kakamega County Assembly Delegated Legislation Committee on Thursday.

According to Mr Mandela who has so far spearheaded development of two other critical Policy documents in the Ministry since his appointment: the Children and the Social Protection Policies; the Youth Policy will guide on programmes that will be undertaken by the County Government in addition to non-discriminatory participation of young people in both social and economic spheres.

He assured Kakamega youths that Governor Fernandes Barasa’s administration is keen on promoting their agenda highlighting the County Youth and Women Empowerment Programme as one of the essential initiatives the County Government is implementing to tackle challenges facing them.

The CECM mentioned unemployment, poverty, ignorance, radicalization and drug abuse as some of the obstacles hindering the progress of young people aged between 18 – 35 years hinting that the Policy seeks to address such matters and called for support from stakeholders among them Members of the County Assembly who are set to scrutinize the document.

The leadership of the Assembly’s Delegated Legislation Committee led by the Vice Chairperson Hon. Stephen Mukhala and his counterpart at the Labour Committee Hon. Modesta Auka expressed their willingness to support the County’s efforts in addressing the modern world problems facing the youth.

County Attorney CS Vivian Mmbaka took the participants through the Policy for validation.