Youths from Kenyan Catholic Diocese Join Peers in Push for Reforms to Address Drug Abuse

Substance abuse crisis, the young people observed, is compounded by the lack of youth-friendly facilities.

They decried poor investment in young talents in the region that has historically been known for producing talent in areas such as sports and acting.

The youth representatives from the Catholic Diocese of Kakamega, NCCK, and SUPKEM lamented that young people in Kakamega have access to few or no well-maintained sports fields, theaters, and community centers, a situation they said is detrimental to their overall development.

The coalition of young people urged the county government to establish and manage youth-friendly facilities at the sub-county level, recommending fast-tracking the completion of sports facilities and the development of modern social halls in the county.

“There is a need to support County polytechnic facilities in a manner that demonstrates strategic priorities,” the youths said, calling for investment in facilities that can equip young people with practical skills in fields such as mechanics, welding, fashion, and agriculture.

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In terms of political and governance involvement, the youths identified the lack of activation of the Kakamega County Youth Policy as a key barrier to youth participation.

“The structured achievement of youth empowerment largely relies on the recognition of youthful voices in the political and governance sector,” they said.

They said that despite the policy's potential to enhance youth participation and independence, key aspects of it remain unimplemented, including the establishment of the County Youth Committee.

In addition, the youths recommended the immediate activation of the Kakamega County Youth Policy and the constitution of a County Youth Committee, which would ensure that young people have a formal platform to engage with governance processes and advocate for their rights.

The youths also expressed their concern about Environmental degradation, saying that they are the ones who will suffer the longest from its effects.

“There is a need for the prioritization of environmental initiatives, including awareness creation among the youth,” the youths said in the September 25 memorandum.

On economic empowerment, the young people observed, “The county lacks youth-specific incentives that would promote engagement of youth in business and enterprise.”

They called for the development of youth-friendly incentives and the restructuring of empowerment programs to better serve the diverse needs of young people. These programs, it argues, should focus on building technical skills and supporting talent in sports and the arts.

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.