The Youth-led Engagement for Peace and Security project implemented by Midrift in partnership with GIZ-CPS in Nakuru commenced with an inception meeting on 7th August 2024 followed by Youth Mentorship Forums on 8th and 9th August 2024 in Nakuru Town East and Nakuru Town West. The inception meeting focused on securing commitment from key stakeholders, while the Mentorship Forums aimed at boosting the capacity of Youth Champions to improve accountability and trust between the youth and government.
The inception meeting was attended by relevant County Government stakeholders, including the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Youth Affairs, Sports, and Gender, Hon Fadhili Msuri MCA for Biashara ward, Hon Macharia Wathiai the MCA for Shabab ward and Hon Hassan Duale, the chair of Peace and security committee in the County Assembly of Nakuru of the County Assembly, and selected youth champions from Nakuru East and West.
Furthermore, 80 youth champions participated in the Mentorship Forums in Nakuru Town East and West. Some youth champions who attended the Forums and had been involved in the pilot project shared that the project has enhanced peaceful coexistence among conflicting youth groups in Nakuru Town East and West.
Collins Odhiambo from Kaptembwa, Nakuru West Subcounty, shared that his locality had a high crime rate due to gang-related violence. Through the project, he is a member of the Community Peace Committees and is now rallying the youth towards peaceful agendas. “We used the information we got to transform our communities” he shared.
The champions further shared how they used the information and knowledge to inspire a mindset shift among their peers and community members during the recently held inception
Another youth champion shared, “We have used the experience to reduce gang-related violence through Community Engagements, economic empowerment initiatives such as linkages to support youths in the creative industry, and encouraging law enforcement officers to adopt community policing strategies that build trust and cooperation between police and community members”.
Hannah Wanjiku from London ward opined, “The Knowledge I got from the first inception meeting I used it to make a change in my community through a lawyer whom I introduced in my community to inform youths about crime, its consequences, and its effects on family and community members in general.
They were also taken through the Judicial process, the Alternative Justice System, and facets of criminal and civil cases.
Most Youths were finding themselves in Court and due to a lack of information on the proceedings, they got heavy sentences due to avoidable ignorance of the law.
They were also taken through the legal aspects of opening businesses, what to do, and how to do due diligence.
“As a Young Leader in Peace and Security, I encouraged my fellow young women to join Community Security Structures in their villages to create more inclusive, equitable, and effective solutions to conflict and instability.
Through community-led forums, barazas, and intergenerational dialogues in my community, I explained to them that it was important because.
1. Women bring different perspectives to matters of peace and security that take into consideration the interest of each community member leading to sustainable solutions
2. Women's involvement can help address underlying social issues and promote nonviolent solutions.
3. Involving women in peace and security efforts promotes gender equality and empowers women, challenging traditional gender roles and creating opportunities for leadership and decision-making.
4. Women's involvement in peace processes can help ensure that issues of gender-based violence and discrimination are addressed and that women's rights are protected
5. Including women in peace and security efforts increases the legitimacy and credibility of these processes, making it more likely that they will be accepted and supported by the broader community.
I believe it's time to have safe spaces for women in the Community with an empowered Youth on matters of law.”
Her sentiments were echoed by Deborah Okumu, a community youth volunteer from Nakuru West, who said young women's participation in the leadership and budgetmaking process was not satisfactory.
She decried normalized gender roles as a contributing factor in these as very few youths are also considered on the decision-making table.
Deborah added, “Governance should be an inclusive process since the product of the budget-making process affects the Youth and their well-being. A brighter community is a brighter tomorrow.
Involving youth in decision-making is vital for creating vibrant, resilient, and forward-looking communities that are better equipped to meet future challenges.”
John Ikowise, a social accountability champion from Pembe Mbili village in Rhonda Ward, says that Youth are shying away from holding their leaders to account due to a lack of information on ongoing programs & projects and the rigorous process of filling out petitions, memoranda & access to information.
When youth are involved in budgeting, they feel more empowered and engaged in their community. This can foster a sense of responsibility and ownership over communal resources.
Engaging in the budget-making process provides youth with opportunities to develop leadership and negotiation skills, preparing them for future roles in governance and community leadership.
He further adds that Public Participation as currently designed is meant to favor the interests of the elected leaders and not that of the Community.
“I have taken a step in going around my ward to educate and inform youths about the budget cycle and how they can be involved in the welfare of their community by familiarizing themselves with ongoing projects and how they can access the information.
Participating in budget processes helps young people understand financial planning and management, skills that are essential for personal and professional development.
Critical information from the supplementary budgets are never made public and budget validation exercises are normally done in secrecy leading to the misappropriation of resources.”
He encourages Youths to uphold Articles 10,201 & 226 on National values & principles of Public Finance respectively as a tenet in holding their leaders to account and reduction of vulnerabilities caused by economic factors.
By Jacob Karani
