Kenya youth summit

Kenya youth  are expected to attend a  nationwide summit  to exchange ideas on how to economically and politically empower themselves and develop the nation.

The summit that is expected to be held in January 2013 is organized by the Brand Kenya Board and will be a two day event that will consist of not less than 10 county forums.

CEO Brand Kenya Board, Mary Kimonye said that there is need to focus on the youth because they are energetic, curious, adventurous with a never to die attitude, and are best resourced to give the economy & society the innovative thrust it needs for takeoff.

According to the Brand Kenya Board Marketing director,Nzilu Musyoki, the start for preparations of the summit will be October with a budget of 31.6 Million.

“ The objective of the youth summit is to offer a platform for the youth to set up a leadership agenda for Kenya.This is a small budget. The brand has given 4.8 Million, we stiill need about 25 million,’ Mr Musyoki said.

Mr Musyoki further stated that other agendas of the summit would be to promote peace and reconsiliation among the youth as well as to promote civic duty to the youth.

Justice Ministry representative Mr Killian Nyambu requested that the summit not be limited to Nairobi, as all the youth in the nation need to build confidence.

He also said that there is need for the youth to sit and dialogue with others, in order to have a peaceful election.

“ We want to throw a challenge to the youth; nature of voluntarisim. There is alot of good things that can happen to us. Young people need confidence in themselves,” Mr Nyambu said.

                                              pic from youth alive kenya

The United Nations Development Programme representative Ms Joan Mdindi, said that the youth consist a high percentage of the population and therefore have power to change the world.

She said that as patners for the youth summit, the UNDP has a youth agenda that will focus on entrepreneurship, protection, education, reproductive health of the youth and youth volunteer programs.

“ To achieve , we must promote patriotism, peace , increase awarness in government and enhance programmes for consititution implementation,”Ms Mdindi said.

Ms Mary further stated that the youth unemployment rate in Kenya stands at 25 per cent;  male unemployment at27 per cent and female at 27 per cent.

Mr Harron Wachira a participant at the Brand Kenya Board  meeting held yesterday  at the Hilton Hotel in Nairobi, attributed youth poverty to bad governance, barriers, lack of motivation, failure to define business and promotion of handout culture.