Nyeri county gears up for groundbreaking Youth Development Policy launch

Nyeri County is set to make history with the upcoming launch of its Youth Development Policy 2023, a landmark initiative aimed at addressing the diverse challenges facing the region’s youths.

The official launch, slated for November 29, 2024, will take place at the Moi Nyeri Complex School and is expected to be a pivotal moment for the county’s future.

The announcement was made on Wednesday during a press briefing hosted by the Department of Gender, Youth, Sports, and Social Services.

County Gender Executive, Ms Esther Ndung’u, who led the briefing, highlighted the key elements of the new policy, which seeks to improve the lives of over 203,000 young people in Nyeri.

The Youth Development Policy, a first for the Central Region Economic Bloc (CEREB) region and the third to be introduced in Kenya, aims to tackle issues such as youth unemployment, access to healthcare, and career development.

It also aims to mainstream youth participation in county programs and policies, ensuring that their needs are considered in all aspects of development.

Among the key objectives outlined in the policy are youth empowerment, healthcare, career development and interventions across sectors.

The policy also emphasizes vulnerable youth groups, including those with disabilities, street children, those in conflict with the law, and young people living with chronic illnesses such as HIV/AIDS.

“The launch of this policy marks a major milestone not only for Nyeri County, but for the entire CEREB region. It reflects the county’s commitment to prioritizing the youth, who represent our future leaders, workers, and innovators,” said Ms Ndung’u.

Nyeri County’s Youth Development Policy was developed through a collaborative process that began in 2021.

Ms Ndung’u said extensive consultations were held with youth organizations, government bodies, civil society groups, and the private sector to ensure a policy that meets the real needs of young people.

The Policy was ratified by the Nyeri County Assembly in December 2023, paving the way for its official launch later this month.

Governor Mutahi Kahiga expressed his enthusiasm for the policy, calling it a transformative tool that would provide young people with the resources and opportunities to thrive.

“We are investing in our youth today so that they can build a better tomorrow for Nyeri and for Kenya,” Governor Kahiga said in a statement sent to newsrooms.

Also present at the press briefing were Gender Chief Officer Joe Gethi, Director Monica Thumbi, and several key county officials, as well as John Munyiri from the Media Council of Kenya and Wachira Kimuhu, chairing the Resource Mobilisation and Entertainment committees.

As the county prepares for this historic event, all eyes are on Nyeri as it takes a significant step towards addressing youth challenges and creating an environment where young people can succeed.