INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY 2021

On 12th August 2021 the world celebrated International Youth Day and under the theme of "Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health '', over 100 young people assembled in Mukuru to discuss some of the challenges affecting them. The local leadership and key stakeholders including: the Area Chief, Police Representatives, a Member of County Assembly (MCA), a Member of Parliament (MP), Youth Leaders, and Civil Societies among others, were put in the hot seat by these young people to explain some of the key emerging issues they wanted to raise.

These were very wide and included:

• Police Brutality- concerns were expressed over their security as many suggested that the area police harass them. Some strong questions were asked: "Why should a police officer walk around at night with a dog and release it to bite innocent bystanders? Several of us have been bitten by the dog.” one who has suffered the brutality, asked. The answer came that the police force has now been reformed into a new Kenya Police Service. Another question was "Why are you still using force while arresting young people on minor charges such as not wearing a mask properly? Arrest us with dignity without having to humiliate us to the extent even of showing our private parts,” said another youth.

• Unemployment- it was noted that most youths are still jobless and a lack of employment opportunities still remains a huge challenge. Political leaders were accused of doing very little to transform the economic status of young people, despite the Kenyan government allocation of funding for grassroots projects to empower young people. “The only project we hear the MCA and MPs doing for young people is encouraging carwash businesses. So, why should politicians be able to buy cars when we the youth must just focus on carwash projects? Why not come up with more sustainable projects that benefit young people? It is about time you invest in us properly!"

• The Ruben Centre, also present at this youth engagement forum, was also challenged to do more for young people. Br. Sunday replied that the Ruben Centre is in the process of developing a Youth Program focusing on three key components: Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Economic Empowerment, and Capacity Building to effectively undertake advocacy and live a much-improved quality of life.