By Mercy Chelangat
A section of youth leaders and members of the civil society in Uasin Gishu County has called for enhanced public sensitisation on the 2024 County Youth Policy.
According to the youth leaders and the CSO officials, since the enactment of the youth policy over a year ago, some youth still do not know about its existence and contents.
The calls were made on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, during a forum organised by the Rural Women Peace Link in partnership with GIZ, National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) and the SOS Children’s Villages.
Rural Women Peace Link’s Clinton Gwako explained that the forum gave youth a chance to engage directly with policy-makers and provide feedback on how the process of implementing the Youth Policy is developed.
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On his part, National Youth Council Uasin Gishu chairman Collins Kemboi termed the policy a key tool to address issues of employment, education, mental health, and civic participation.
In addition, members of the civil society observed that young people not only need to be made aware of the policy but should also appropriate it.
Benedine Kipruto, chairperson of Uasin Gishu Civil Society Network, observed that due to a lack of awareness, young people are kept in the dark regarding tools that are supposed to empower them.
Does Uasin Gishu Youth Policy factor in inclusivity?
Inclusivity was also an important issue. Florence Tosh, an intersex human rights activist, asked that the policy be rewritten to meet the needs of intersex children, who are systematically excluded from health care, schools, and social services.
Uasin Gishu County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Youth Affairs, Engineer Lucy Ng’endo Njoroge, assured the participants that the policy would be updated in order to bridge the gaps in inclusivity.
She further challenged young people to take advantage of various programmes the county has put in place to support them.
“Ksh 1 billion has been set aside in the current county budget for various youth initiatives. These comprise business loans, training, and sporting initiatives such as the Governor’s Cup,” the CECM said.
The 2024 Youth Policy points a way to the empowerment of young people in terms of access to finances, building capacity, and government purchases.
Stakeholders who attended the forum committed to working together to ensure the policy is fully implemented and benefits the young people.
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