Nairobi Youth Set to Benefit From The Nairobi City County Draft Youth Policy
From nairobi.go.ke
Nairobi City County youth are set to benefit from the Nairobi City County draft youth policy that seeks to provide an opportunity for employment and improving their quality of life for Nairobi youth through their participation in economic and democratic processes as well as in community and civic affairs.
The policy also advocates for the creation of a supportive social, cultural, economic and political environment that will empower Nairobi youth to be partners in county development.
This policy demonstrates Nairobi City County Deputy Governor and Acting Governors’ commitment to the youth agenda in the city. In February this year, Ms. Kananu donated a total of Kshs 176.5 million cheques to Nairobi Youth and Women groups in Nairobi as part of their empowerment kitty.
This was revealed at a sensitization workshop for the County Executive Committee Members on the Nairobi County draft Youth Policy so that they can interrogate the document before it goes to the assembly for approval and implementation.
The County Secretary and Head of Public Service Dr. Jairus Musumba stated that the County recognizes youth issues hence this youth policy will guide the county government on youth matters. Dr. Musumba also mentioned that the national government directed that 30% of all government tenders be given to youth, women and people living with disabilities.
The Policy pays special attention to certain groups of youth because of their specific needs. These special groups include: Youth living with disability, Street youth, Youth infected with HIV and AIDS, Female Youth, and the unemployed youth, and Youth out of school. In each of the targeted youth groups, the Government and organizations working with the youth will be required to give special attention and affirmative action.
The County Executive Committee Member for Education, Gender, Social Services, Youth Affairs and Sports Sector Ms. Janet Ouko proposed that 2% of the budget in every county sector be set aside for youth projects. Said Ms. Ouko, “Youth are the majority population in Nairobi hence need to support them better.”
Ms. Ouko also thanked the partners; youth alive, Horn of Africa- youth network, Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)and County Governance Watch who have supported the sector in coming up with the policy document.
The policy priority areas are; skills development and employment, Health and nutrition, patriotism and volunteerism, creativity and talent development, enterprise development, ICT development, crime, security and peace building, radicalization and violent extremism, drugs and substance abuse and environment and sustainable development.
