The Secretary Youth Development at the State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy, Mr. Raymond Ochieng Hsc , and The Director, Directorate for Youth and Social Development, Madam Emily Maina, held a meeting with a survey team from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) led by Ms. Mariko Ikawa, who came to conduct a survey on systems, issues and support needs related to the provision of youth empowerment programs in relation to the promotion of the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS).
Ms. Maina gave an overview of tailored programmes and forums that are designed for youth development, leadership and mentorship, community development inclusion and participation. “We also provide linkages for youth to social economic empowerment programmes, engage in intergenerational dialogue in co-creating programmes and offer soft skills,” she added.
While making her remarks, Ms. Mariko stated Japanese government have been recognizing the importance of including Kenya, the whole of Africa, for its geographic and economic relationship with Japan. She reiterated that young people need to be given a chance to participate in the governance and building of the nation.
“And looking at the young people, the size of the population of the young people in Kenya in particular, we would like to see how Ministry of Youth is trying to put the young people more on the table so that they can be participating in the decision making, designing the program, and making their voice heard of by the government,” she noted.
JICA is exploring areas of partnership in strengthening organizational capacity and outreach programmes, policy direction and how to work on the Youth, Peace and Security agenda.
In the meeting also were Nairobi County Director Youth Development Officer, Mr. Maurice Mureithi, Ma. Yuko Haraguchi from JICA, Youth Development Officer, Louisa Rautta and Research Assistant, Eucebia Ingaso from JICA.
